What is Pine Essential Oil?
Pine essential oil, also know as Scotch/Scots pine oil, is the thin and clear to pale yellow volatile extract obtained by steam distillation of the needles of Pinus sylvestris L. species belonging to Pinaceae family.
The essential oil of pine has a balsamic, fresh, piney and woody aroma that blends well with: petitgrain, juniper, valerian, inula, cypress, niaouli, ylang ylang, sandalwood, black spruce, other pine species, black pepper, lemon, cedarwood, hemlock, lavender and sweet marjoram essential oil.
About Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
The genus Pinus of Pinaceae family (in the Coniferae) comprises of more than 100 species and spreads worldwide.
Pinus sylvestris (Scots or Norway pine) is the most widely distributed pine in the world. It grows naturally from Scotland to the Pacific Ocean, from above the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and was introduced to North America.
Scots pine native to Eurasia is adapted to different climatic conditions and grows on a wide variety of soil types.
P. sylvestris L. is an evergreen conifer tree of 20 to 45 m height, which lives up to 500 years. Needles grow in pairs and are 2 to 30 cm length.
Pine needles are rich in vitamin C, tannins, alkaloids and essential oils.
Chemical Components of Pine Essential Oil
It is well known that essential oil composition depends on many factors and usually varies considerably, thus geographical origin of the plant source could be important for recognizing oils with certain characteristics.
In this way, the essential oil of Pinus sylvestris contain about 50 to 65 components, among the main ones include: α-pinene (18.5-55.76%), delta-3-carene (11.1-23.2%), β-myrcene (2.95-9.03%), β-pinene (0.6-18.4%), camphene (1.79-8.5%), β-caryophyllene (2.06-7%), δ-cadinene (1.75-11.6%), germacrene D (1.63-8.7%), limonene (0.4-9.74%), borneol (0.1-5.8%), α-cadinol (1.9-5.9%) and bornyl acetate (0.1-8.8%).
Properties of Pine Essential Oil
Among the known properties of pine oil are:
- Analgesic (per-cutaneous)
- Anti-allergenic
- Anticancer
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Antimicrobial
- Antineuralgic
- Antiseptic (pulmonary, urinary, hepatic)
- Airborne antiseptic
- Antitumor
- Antiviral
- Chemopreventive
- Cholagogue
- Choleretic
- Diuretic
- Hypertensive
- Decongestant
- Expectorant
- Neurotonic
- Rubefacient
- Restorative
- Stimulant
- Cortisone-like activity
- Insecticidal
- Deodorant
Uses of Pine Essential Oil
The use of pine essential oil is indicated for:
- Lymphatic and ovarian congestion pelvis congestion and prostatic congestion.
- Muscular aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, joint pain and sciatica,
- Muscle cramps.
- Gout.
- Supports nervous system.
- Adrenal depletion and/or fatigue.
- Nervous asthenia.
- Expands breathing allowing more oxygen in the body.
- Asthma.
- Respiratory illness such as: bronchitis, catarrh and moist coughs.
- Sinusitis and sore throat.
- Allergies.
- Respiratory infections, reduces the overproduction of mucus.
- Skin conditions such as: dull skin due to poor circulation, moist eczema and excess sweating.
- Emotionally and psychologically pine oil is helpful for nervous exhaustion, fatigue, depression and mental fatigue.
- Fragrance when making your own soaps, detergents, lotions, candles and ointments.
- Insect repellant.
- Air freshener.
Benefits of Pine Essential Oil
Anticancer effect (Breast cancer cells)
The anticancer action of pine tree extracts has mainly been shown for the species distributed widely around the Asian countries.
A 2015 research, (Selectivity of Pinus sylvestris extract and essential oil to estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells Pinus sylvestris against cancer cells) concluded that: “The essential oil showed the stronger cytotoxic effect to both negative and positive breast cancer cell lines”.
Consequently, the study indicated that Scots pine needles extract and essential oil, exhibits some potential as chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent for mammary tumors unresponsive to endocrine treatment.
Fungicidal and antibacterial activity
The biological activity of Pinus sylvestris L. has been investigated in order to find out its fungicidal activity against airborne microorganisms.
It was determined, that fungi from Aspergillus and Penicillium genera dominated indoors.
Antimicrobial activity of pine oil was evaluated by technique of oil diffusion to Czapek agar (for fungi), malt extract agar (for yeast and yeast-like fungi) and nutrient agar (for bacteria).
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of pine oil to 13 species (8 fungi, 2 yeast-like fungi, yeast and 2 bacteria,) were determined.
According to resistance to pine oil action, microorganisms grouped themselves as following: fungi, spore bacteria, yeast-like fungi, yeast, and bacteria (fungi being the most resistive and bacteria being the least resistive).
The most active concentration of pine oil against all tested microorganisms was 2.5%, and the most sensitive fungus to volatiles was Ulocladium oudemansii.
Improves immune system
Inhalation of volatile components from conifers such as Pine (Pinus sylvestris) essential oil can improve immune function.
Aromatherapeutic effects
Pine essential oil is known for its uplifting and purifying qualities, which when applied aromatically, support our entire organism.
It has the ability to calm anxiety and mitigate fatigue while energizing us.
In addition, pine oil can lighten the air and release negative emotions.
On the other hand, the essential oil of pine is highly effective against muscular strains and pains when applied as a relaxing massage.
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Juniper Berry Essential Oil Benefits, Properties and UsesPowerful expectorant
The essential oil of pine is natural powerful expectorant that can cause irritation in the mucous membrane, causing an increase of bronchial secretion (for defense) and facilitate the expulsion of phlegm and mucus through the cough.
It is important to consider that, since pine oil has a drying effect, it should not be used at the beginning state of a respiratory infection, when the mucus is still hard and the cough is dry and painful.
The oil instead, should be used at the end of the illness, when the drying of the lungs after a period of mucus-overproduction is desired. Pine oil is perfect to diffuse during this time.
Natural cleaner and purifier for home
Pine oil is a cleaner by excellence, which will help us maintain our home, and the air we breathe, fresh and clean.
It can be used in a spritzer to deodorize and purify rooms, improving air quality remarkably and providing protection against bacteria, viruses and fungi that may be around us.
Warnings and Precautions when using Pine Essential Oil
Pine essential oil is normally safe, however, some simple precautions should be kept in mind:
- It may cause lung damage if swallowed.
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets
- In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
- Perform a patch test before a topical application, especially on sensitive skin.
- Do not use undiluted for skin applications.
- Due to the monoterpene content, it is important that the essential oil be stored properly (e.g., in a dark container in the refrigerator or in a cold room away from sunlight and heat).
- Oxidized essential oils should not be used in body care products or formulations designed for dermal application. The essential oil can, however, be used for cleaning products.
- Average shelf life for monoterpene-rich essential oils, when stored correctly is 1-3 years.
Where to Buy Pine Essential Oil?
In general, good quality oils, that is, 100% pure and not mixed with other substances, can be found in specialized natural herb stores.
If you can not reach a trusted naturist or herbalist shop near you, here are some recommendations:
Scent Characteristics: Fresh, strong, woody, earthy, balsamic scent.
Our 100% Pure Essential Oils are extracted from the root, bark, wood, seed, fruit, leaf, or flower of a freshly harvested plant.
We source only the finest quality essential oils from highly regarded suppliers and distillers from around the world, many with whom we’ve worked with for decades.
Many of our oils are steam-distilled or cold-pressed, therefore retaining the essential odor, aroma, taste, medicinal, and therapeutic properties of the plant, resulting in a superior quality, and highly concentrated essence. Shop Here.
The following are also good quality essential oils that you can find on Amazon:
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Tips for a better performance and duration of your oils:
- Store them in a dark glass bottle, never plastic, not even when blended with a carrier oil.
- Keep them in cool, dark places, away from sources of heat and light.
- Maintain the container that holds it tightly closed, since they are very volatile and also, their properties would be lost or modified.