Balsam Fir Essential Oil

Common Name: Balsam Fir
Latin Name: Abies balsamea

Balsam Fir is one of my closest essential oil companions.

My experience highlights Balsam Fir essential oil’s wonderful immune supportive, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The pronounced monoterpene content of Balsam Fir essential oil suggests it can support movement in the body.

This means it can open up the lungs and sinuses, and vitalize the overall energy in the mind and body.

In the GC/MS report on Balsam Fir, we usually find some carene (δ-3) and limonene (d), along with (α) and (β) pinenes.

Some of the research properties for each component:

Carene (δ-3) – anti-inflammatory and mucolytic

Limonene (d) – activates white blood cells, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immunostimulant, skin penetration enhancer

Pinene (α) – anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal (candida), antispasmodic, antiviral

Pinene  (β) – anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antispasmodic

To translate the research…

Balsam Fir is a strong antimicrobial, used for colds and flus. It helps dry mucus, is an excellent decongestant, and calms spastic coughs. I also add it to anti-rheumatic and joint pain blends to prevent or relieve rheumatic swelling and pain. The oil has such great anti-inflammatory action! Balsam Fir stimulates the respiratory system, immune system, adrenal glands and circulatory system.

Recipe: Joint Inflammation Oil

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) — 10 drops
Orange (Citrus sinensis) – 5 drops
Indian Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara) – 10 drops
Add to 1 oz of carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or Trauma Oil

Balsam Fir is also used for its emotionally uplifting and stabilizing effects. Personally, when I breathe in this oil’s aroma, I can feel its balancing and energizing effects almost immediately.

If you’re interested in Pine, Spruce and Fir essential oils, I teach a 3-day class at Aromahead Institute called Component Blending. During the class, we compare many different conifer oils by looking closely at their chemistries and blending with them (we also study five different Helichrysum species over the weekend). This class is March 11–13, 2011. Come join us in Sarasota, Florida for a great-smelling workshop!

Balsam Fir
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
Plant Part: Needles, Twigs
Botanical Family: Pinaceae
Aromas: Balsamic, Fresh, Piney, Resinous, Warm and Radiant, Wood

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Andrea

Andrea is an essential oil educator and consultant. She teaches aromatherapy classes to both beginners and professionals, consults with aromatherapy companies, and imports essential oils from distillers around the world. She continues to travel internationally to personally visit with small farmers and distillers of essential oils. She has participated and taught at international aromatherapy conferences, and developed essential oil courses for spas and massage schools.

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