| Common Name: |
Pine |
| Botanical Name: |
Pinus sylvestris |
| Origin: |
Austria, Russia |
| Appearance: |
Colorless to pale yellow |
| Aroma: |
Fresh, sweet-resinous, woody, turpentine
|
Pine oil is produced by steam distillation from Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) also valued as a Christmas tree and Pinus mugo among other types of pine. Most turpentine is made from longleaf pine oil. The thick rosin left after distillation, colophony, is used on the bows of string instruments. Quality pine essential oils have a fleeting sweetness similar to the oil from juniper berries. Pine oil is often used in steam baths and aromatherapy massage oils for sore muscles. Try pine oil in a Muscle Rub with peppermint oil, lemon oil, and sweet almond oil or in a sauna blend with wintergreen oil.
Pinus sylvestris, the evergreen Scotch pine, is a member of a family of about 90 species that grow in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. In the northern European forests, the Scotch pine grows to around 100 feet tall or taller. As one of the hardiest of pines, it thrives in long, bitterly cold winters. It is named for its once vast presence in Scotland, but few remain today. The Scotch pine is popular in U.S. landscaping due to its beautiful bluish-green needles. It is also prized as a Christmas tree and for its sweet, refreshing pine aroma. Get that Scoth pine Christmas tree scent any time of year with pine oil. 
There are a number of pine species distilled for the essential oil that may be labeled "pine oil". Pay attention to the correct botanical name, Pinus sylvestris. Similar oils from other pine species include Pinus mugo, the mugo pine, and Pinus palustris, the longleaf pine. Mugo pine can be very irritating. Longleaf pine oil is mostly used for turpentine.
The needles, twigs and bark of all pines contain a sticky, aromatic resin from which essential oils, turpentine, and rosin are extracted.
Pine essential oil is produced from the steam distillation of fresh twigs and needles. The twigs and needles give the oil a sweet-evergreen aroma with a turpentine-like or terebinthe note. Poor quality pine essential oil is not sweet and has a harsh terebinthe scent, while good quality has a fleeting sweetness similar to oil from juniper berries.
Turpentine is distilled from crude pine resin from tree trunks of longleaf pines, among others. The trees are tapped similar to tapping maple trees for maple syrup. Sticky resin comes out and is captured into pots and heated in a still, releasing turpentine compounds that are collected.
Very thick, tacky rosin, known as colophony, is what is left after other products are distilled out. It is used on the bows of string instruments such as violins to encourage resonance and sound.
In northern Europe, pine oil distillation occurs from spring until winter when pine needles and branch tips are gathered to thin the forest or when mature trees are harvested for wood. The Tyrol forest in Austria produces the finest pine essential oil, but is unable to meet worldwide demand so pine essential oil is produced also in various areas throughout Europe and Russia.
Pine oil is often used in saunas, steam baths, and massage blends for sore muscles. The natural evergreen scent of pine essential oil is a sweet, healthy alternative to harshly scented medicinal pharmaceutical products. Try this therapeutic blend in steams and saunas.
* 30 drops pine oil
* 30 drops lemon oil
* 20 drops oil from juniper berries
* 10 drops fir needle oil
* 5 drops sweet birch oil
* 5 drops wintergreen oil
Create a mini personal sauna by adding several drops of this blend to a large bowl of boiling water. Make a tent over your head with a soft towel, lean over the bowl, and inhale.
Soothing Muscle Rub
* 30 drops pine oil
* 30 drops oil from juniper berries
* 30 drops peppermint oil
* 10 drops lemon oil
Dilute 12 drops of blend concentrate in 3 ounces of a vegetable oil like sweet almond oil to make soothing aromatherapy massage oils for overworked muscles. Concentrated essential oil blends should never be applied directly to skin without diluting them first to prevent irritation. Apply to tight, sore muscles the day after a strenuous workout.
To learn more about aromatherapy, click Learn and view topics under Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, & Lavender. See items under Aromatherapy Oil Information & Recipes to learn more about individual essential oils and the plants from which they come with more aromatherapy recipes included.
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