The Native of people of eastern Canada used the bark and needles of trees as winter medicines. In this regard, pine trees were considered very good for medicine purposes.

The white pine, with its characteristic bundles of five needles each, and its cones which are several times longer than they are wide, was often used.

Among the Micmac people, the needles, twigs, and pieces of the inner bark were steeped in water, and the tea taken to treat colds. This preparation was also used to treat kidney ailments. A cup of the tea was drunk as a single dosage. The tea may be taken several times daily.