It's the first week of January and if you haven't taken down your Christmas decorations yet, you're probably thinking about it!
It's a long process. Wrapping up each bauble, unravelling the lights and trying your best to make sure they come out of the box untangled next year. (Spoiler Alert: They won't.)
And that's even before you get to the tree.
After the mammoth task, all you want is to put your feet up with a cup of tea. But what about if that tea came from your tree?
According to the university of Tik Tok, you can make pine needle tea from your old branches.
The new trend sees people boiling the pine needles and branches to create a natural broth.
The tea is said to be high in vitamin C and can help fight winter infections. Some people also say bathing in pine needle water soothes sore muscles and joints.
https://www.tiktok.com/@eden.health/video/6998661406648323334
Don't Like Tea?
If tea isn't your thing, the pine needle enthusiasts of the internet have you covered.
One Tik Tok user mixed pine needles with vinegar for a fresh smelling antibacterial spray. Another connoisseur used her Christmas tree to make pine jam, syrup and honey!
You can even make your favourite fizzy drinks using the versatile prickles.
https://www.tiktok.com/@msshiandmrhe/video/7180489808769338670
It seems the sky's the limit when it comes to these spikey little guys.
Maybe the upcycle of your Christmas tree could be the first project of 2023! Imagine it - New year, new me, living off pine needle tea!
