Pine EO
Pine oil should not be confused with "pine oils" that are synthetically produced.
Scotch Pine essential oil is distilled from the needles of Pinus sylvestris trees; this oil, according to author/aromatherapist Julia Lawless, is therapeutically one of the safest and most useful.
Coniferous trees in general - Pine, Spruce, Fir - are the guardian trees of our planet with their specific purifying, cleansing constituents.
Constituents
From Pinus mugo: chief components include Delta3-carene (up to 35%), alpha- and beta-pinene (20%), beta-phellandrene (15%)
From Pinus nigra: chief components include alpha-pinene (48-65%), beta-pinene (up to 32%), germacren D (up to 19%)
From Pinus palustris: chief components include alpha- and beta-pinene (up to 95%)
From Pinus silvestris: The majority of those present in Scotch Pine are a group of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Chief components include alpha-pinene (10-50%), Delta-3-carene (up to 20%) camphene (up to 12%), beta-pinene (10-25%), limonene (up to 10%), additionally including among others myrcene, terpinolene, bornyl acetate.
Effects
The essential oil is secretolytic, hyperemic and weakly antiseptic
Uses
Approved by Commission E:
- Common cold
- Cough/bronchitis
- Fevers and Colds
- Inflammation of mouth and pharynx
- Neuralgias
- Rheumatism
- Tendency to infection
The essential oil is used internally and externally for congestive diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Externally, for rheumatic and neuralgic ailments. Its also used for asthenia, high blood pressure, diabetes, uterine and ovarian decongestant, asthma, arthritis, allergies.
TCM
- Descends lung qi to kidneys, coughing, wheezing
- Warms kidney yang for impotence
- Transforms cold phlegm and expels wind-damp-cold bi-obstruction
Pine, Scotch - Organic - Eden Botanicals
Prep & Dose
The most efficient preparation of Scotch Pine is the essential oil, although the decoction and tincture are still viable. The external oil is used externally with a base oil (rubs, liniments, etc.) and internally including in syrups. Strengthening, invigorating the whole body baths can be prepared for exhaustion, while steam inhalations are excellent for sinus and bronchial infections with congestion. .
Note Scotch Pine essential oil is prepared by steam distillation from the pounded needles, known as "fir wool". It should not be confused with Turpentine essential oil prepared from the trunk of this and other pines.
The oil is administered in alcoholic solutions, ointments, gels, emulsions, oils or as an inhalant. It is used externally as bubble baths and bath salts.
Daily dose: For internal use, the daily dose is 5 g. of an infused oil (not the essential oil); Essential oil 1-2 drops in a gelatin capsule topped with olive oil.
Inhalation therapy; add several drops to hot water and breath vapors several times a day
Cautions:
Internal consumption of pine essential oil can be dangerous, because there is a possibility of kidney damage. It should also not be given to people who are suffering from kidney disorders. Furthermore, pine essential oil can cause irritation on highly sensitive skin, so it must be used in diluted form. Children and elderly people should not be given pine essential oil as it may cause hypertension and irritation.
Studies
Antiviral
Cancer
- Apoptosis and activity changes of telomerase induced by essential oil from pine needles in HepG2 cell line
- Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppress tumor progression through the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in breast cancer
- Pine needle oil exhibited significant inhibitory effect on hepatoma carcinoma BEL-7402 cells.