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Scotch Pine Essential Oil Benefits

Pine essential oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation from the twigs and pine needles of the pinus sylvestris Scotch pine or Scots pine species which is also a very popular Christmas tree. Pine oil on the other hand may be obtained from other pine species such as pinus mugo and pinus palustris.

Traditionally the fragrant needles of the Scotch pine tree were used treat bronchial problems, cough, cold and fever. The needles were pounded and made into a paste as a compress to treat rheumatism and joint pains.

If you prefer an earthly, woody and forest aroma as fragrance, Scotch pine essential oil is a good choice to scent your home, in your warm bath, to add into your laundry wash, on your sheets and on drawer linings. Besides its use as fragrance oil, the pine Scotch essential oil is more popular as medicinal oil and its uses in aromatherapy.

The active constituents include pinene, careen, cadinene, terpinolene, bornyl and phellandrene. These compounds plus many other natural chemicals produce antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, astringent and many more activities.

Uses for Scotch Pine Essential Oil

1. You can use the Scot's pine oil as an expectorant to dissolve thick mucus and relieve breathing difficulty. Inhaling the vapor or steam may help clear the symptoms associated with bronchitis, flu and the common cold such as cough and nasal or sinus congestion. It blends well with eucalyptus oil, lemon oil and lavender oil to ease lung congestion.
   
   
   
2. If you experience physical or mental fatigue and lethargy, use the Scotch pine needle essential oil as a stimulant. Diffuse it in a burner, spray the mist or take a warm bath. It combines well with black spruce essential oil of the picea mariana species.
   
   
   
3. Scotch pine oil is also used as massage oil to treat aching, stiff and tired muscles. Before applying it on your skin, mix with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. To use it effectively as massage oil, blend it with a few drops of birch oil, eucalyptus oil and Roman chamomile oil.
   
   
   
4. Use it as a foot bath or soak to treat toe nail fungus infection, gout, sweaty feet and foot odor or just to relax your feet. It blends well with witch hazel extract since pine oil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities while witch hazel has both plus antifungal properties. The blend would also make a good antiseptic wash for cuts and wounds.
   
   
   
5. In ancient times, the needles of the Scot's pine were stuffed in mattress to repel lice, mites and fleas. It was also used as a folk medicine to treat scabies. Now, you can use the Scot's oil as a disinfectant by spraying the oil mist on your mattress, adding to your laundry wash and as a skin wash.
   
   
   
6. Scotch pine oil is also used in air fresheners, household products such as detergents, soaps and other bath toiletries and fragrances.