🏕️Mongolian Traditional Medicine

Spruce Resin (Shinesgene)

Picea obovata

About Spruce Resin (Shinesgene)

Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) (Picea obovata) is a herb used in the Mongolian Traditional Medicine tradition to help with Wound Healing, Respiratory Issues, Arthritis, and Immune Support. The resin is the part traditionally used, used both internally and topically.

Botanical background

Picea obovata, the Siberian spruce, is a spruce native to Siberia, from the Ural Mountains east to Magadan Oblast, and from the Arctic tree line south to the Altay Mountains in northwestern Mongolia.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Resin · both
🫖

Decoction

1–2 cups daily
  • Add 1–2 tsp of dried Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) to 2 cups of cold water.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
  • Strain and drink warm.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
🖐️

Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed
  • Mash fresh Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
  • Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
🫙

Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily
  • Fill a jar with dried Spruce Resin (Shinesgene).
  • Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
  • Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
  • Use topically or as a salve base.
♨️

Steam Inhalation

1–2× daily during acute symptoms
  • Add 2–3 tbsp of Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) to a bowl of just-boiled water.
  • Drape a towel over your head and inhale steam for 5–10 minutes.
🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed
  • Brew 4–6 tbsp of Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
  • Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
  • Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Warnings

⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, southern Siberia

Climate

Continental steppe

Habitat

Vast steppes, mountain meadows, and forest edges of the Mongolian plateau

🌿 To see Spruce Resin (Shinesgene) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Spruce Resin (Shinesgene), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.