At Laughing Lichen we collect wild Spruce Pitch from black and white spruce trees deep in Canada’s northern wilderness. All harvesting is conducted in a sustainable manner by collecting the hardened sap/resin or “tears” off of live trees. Only enough is collected so that the tree can still retain the sap needed to protect and heal itself.
“Spruce gum, when used as a chewing gum, is a cardiotonic and helps oxygenation of the blood as it circulates, especially during exercise. The gum when used as a tisane is a antihypertensive and will reduce blood pressure. It is antianginal and will help with the circulation within the beating heart as it oxygenates its own musculature and enabling it to act as a more efficient pump. The resin gum of spruce is also antiarrhythmic and will help the individual myocardial cells with their electronic message system of communication, one area with the other in the different geographic regions of the heart.” (Beresford-Kroeger, Diana, Arboretum Borealis)
Spruce trees produce a resin or sap which is often called “pitch”. This pitch is generally formed over a wound or an infliction on the trunk of the tree. The pitch comes from within the tree and forms a “band-aid” over the wound. It is very sticky and thick and helps to protect the tree from invading insects and disease, while healing the tree. Wild Spruce Pitch has been utilized for thousands of years by many different cultures for: Medicine, food, health products, as a glue, preservative agent, incense, and even as chewing gum! There are currently studies being conducted on the benefits of using wild spruce pitch topically in the treatment of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Today wild Spruce Pitch is more commonly utilized for its anti-fungal, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-septic, and disinfectant qualities, not to mention for its amazing aroma! At Laughing Lichen we use this pitch to make Spruce Pitch Salve, a Spruce Pitch Oil infusion.
Please note:
On rare occasions it is possible for small bits of bark, plant matter or insect evidence to be found inside the pitch granules. As an unaltered raw forest product it is impossible to avoid. It is impossible to avoid this. Store the pitch in an airtight container in a cool dry place until use.
Susan (verified owner) –
Reminds me of my childhood when I would go and just pick pitch from the trees and chew
Arthur (verified owner) –
Gave some to an Elder, stories and joy. The spruce gum is awesome.
LEO (verified owner) –
Jennifer S (verified owner) –
It’s my first time to try this product and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I tried a small pieces at first and thought it was perfect. The taste was lovely and now I wish I had gotten the bigger container – next time!
Carla Ryynanen (verified owner) –
wonderful quality of their products!
Marlajoy Pollock (verified owner) –
Amazing product! Healing and fragrant.
Francis (verified owner) –
The smell of the pitch gum is incredible. Shipping was very fast. Will definitely buy again!
Amy (store manager) –
Soya says:
April 24, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Excellent customer service! I placed and order and had an issue with the shipping and Amy sent me another order and even added a couple freebies! So glad I found this site. 🙂
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Amy (store manager) –
Amy Schwarz says:
April 14, 2013 at 12:04 pm
I am in with the trees often, here on Haida Gwaii where I live. I have been starting out making salves to give to the people who are needing them yet cannot always get out to gather their own spruce pitch..and the big Sitka Spruce are so generous providing a wealth of pure sap tears, which respectfully and lovingly I can gather as that energy goes into the salves to comfort and soothe. It is amazing, isn’t it, how the plants and trees are so willing to help, fragrant and clean with pure life. – Amy
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Amy says:
April 16, 2013 at 12:50 am
It’s very kind of you to collect medicines for others that can’t themselves. The spruce’s pitch really is mother natures band-aid.
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