The Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) provided important ‘Bush Tucker’ (wild food) for the Aboriginal of Australia, with large cones that produced up to 150 edible seeds. The seeds were eaten raw, cooked, fermented or in a powder, and taste like “a waxy boiled potato with the flavor of chestnuts”.
The seeds are low in protein and fat, but contain all the essential amino acids, and a fatty acid content that contains half omega-3 and omega-6 oils. They also contain dietary fiber and minerals (copper, magnesium, iron and manganese), and the seed husks high in phenolics (mainly catechins).
The Bunya Pine (not a true pine) also produce an underground ‘earth nut’ when the seed germinates that is said to have a coconut-like flavor.
When the Bunya Pines were producing, they provided large feasts for the Aboriginal people. Each Aboriginal family would own a group of these trees that were passed down through generations, and this is reported to be the only case of hereditary personal property by the Aboriginal Australians.
Although considered sacred by the Aboriginal people, and after fiercely fighting to protect them, the trees were very sought after for their timber by the settlers, and the Aboriginal people were driven out of the Bunya forests. Sadly, the forests were cut for timber and cleared for the prime agricultural soil they usually inhabited. Most of the small populations of these trees are now protected in formal reserves and parks, and part of their native habitat is a World Heritage listed site.
The Bunya Pine has also had some pharmacological investigations into its various parts: seeds, leaves, and resin. Both oleoresin and leaf extracts exhibit significant increases in sleeping time from pentobarbitones in preclinical studies, as well as analgesic & anti-inflammatory effects, and a biflavone rich fraction exhibiting antioxidant activity.
Originally a tall tree (up to 169 feet!) from Queensland rainforest, the Bunya Pine is now extensively planted in gardens, as they are very attractive trees. If you ever encounter a Bunya Pine, however, watch out for the cones, as each can weight up to 4.5 kilos, and could really do some damage if one fell on you!
Certain trails in Australia are closed when the Bunya Pines are producing due to this hazard.
*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.
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