Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris, commonly known as the Scots pine, is a resilient coniferous species widely distributed across Eurasia. Valued in traditional medicine, its resin, bark, and needles possess potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These bioactive compounds make it a vital resource for treating respiratory ailments and supporting holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Pinus sylvestris
- Family: Pinaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, falling under the family Pinaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Pinus, specifically the species Pinus sylvestris.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Pinaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pinus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pinus sylvestris, is recognized by several different names depending on the region and language. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 欧洲赤松 (zh-hans), which is also the standard designation used in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). In Traditional Chinese, the common name is written as 歐洲赤松 (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 欧洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 歐洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 歐洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 欧洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 欧洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 歐洲赤松 | Wikidata |
| eu | Pinu gorri | Wikidata |
| pl | sosna zwyczajna | Wikidata |
| hu | erdeifenyő | Wikidata |
| et | harilik mänd | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. Additionally, the species is established within the territory of Great Britain. Together, these locations define its specific geographical range across the northern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Scots pine, possesses various parts that are utilized for their therapeutic and practical properties. The long, bluish-green needles are frequently harvested to create essential oils known for their respiratory benefits and antiseptic qualities. The bark, which transitions from a bright orange-red in younger trees to a thick, fissured grey in older specimens, is often used in traditional preparations for its astringent properties. Additionally, the knotwood, found where branches meet the main stem, can be utilized in specialized extracts and resinous applications, contributing to the complex chemical profile of the species.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| needles | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| knotwood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pinus sylvestris has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-caryophyllene, 7alpha-hydroxydehydroabietic acid, 7beta-hydroxydehydroabietic acid, PUGNAC, allosamidin.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (E)-caryophyllene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7alpha-hydroxydehydroabietic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7beta-hydroxydehydroabietic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PUGNAC | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allosamidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| condensed tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydroabietic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myrcene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pinus sylvestris has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiphlogistic, Antispasmodic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiphlogistic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pinus sylvestris has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wound healing, cancer, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |