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Scots Pine Essential Oil
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris The pine family consists of more than 100 species, though the scots pine is the most widespread variety, and the safest to use therapeutically. This tall evergreen conifer rises to over 35m, the crown at first conical, later becoming distinctly flattened. It has deeply fissured, reddish brown bark, pairs of bluish green needles and pointed brown cones. The tree is native to the mountainous regions of northern and waestern Europe (including Britain) and parts of Russia.
The best quality essential oil is captured by steam distillation of the needles. A pine essential oil is also extracted from the cones, twigs and wood chippings, but this has a relatively harsh odour and is not recommended for aromatherapy. The oil obtained from the resin is known as turpentine and is used mainly as a paint thinner or solvent. Although turpentine does have medicinal properties, it is rarely used in aromatherapy as it can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. Essential oils are obtained from several other species of pine including, dwarf pine and longleaf pine, but these should be avoided by the home user as they can also irritate the skin. Alwys check the labels for the botanical name. If it is not specified, do not buy.
The oil extracted from the the needles of Scots pine is colourless to pale yellow, it has a strong, dry, balsamic aroma with a camphorous undertone, the effect is refreshing, cooling and enlivening. As well as having many medicinal uses, this powerful antiseptic oil (or its many synthetic counterparts) is used in disinfectants, air-fresheners, detergents and other household cleaning products.
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The resin of the pine trees, collected from cuts in the trunk which exude the gummy substance, has been used for centuries as an incense gum. When burnt it is believed to clear a place of negative influences. The pine kernels (nuts found in the cones) were eaten by the ancient Egyptians, who added them to their bread. Hippocrates prescribed an extract of the resin for pneumonia, and Arab physicians used it to treat 'ulcers of the lings', probably tuberculosis. Indeed TB clinics were always sited near pine forests, as the aroma is known to be benificial to the respiratory system, as well as uplifting to the spirits.
Modern herbalists prescribe the young leaf shoots and/or pine cone buds to be taken as a herb tea for bronchial complaints, cystitis, rheumatism and gout, and as a gargle for sore throats and laryngitis. Stronger infusions prepared from pine needles are added to the bath for arthritic and rheumatic pain, poor circulation, slow-healing wounds, skin diseases and nervous exhaustion. The essential oil is incorporated into liniments to rub into painful joints and aching muscles. In certain parts of the Swiss Alps, mattresses filled with pine needles are believed to help most rheumatic conditions.
| Adulteration: | Mixtures of camphene, pinenes and isobornyl acetate etc. are used. |
| GRAS Status: | Pine oil has GRAS status |
Properties, Indications
and Uses: |
Properties: ()
Indicated for: ()
Uses: ()
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| Toxicity: | LD50 - (oral) rat >5g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >5g/kg.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Nil at 20% (human)
Phototoxicity - Nil reported |
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