Guide To Pine Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Scotch pine essential oil "teaches that it is love and generosity of the spirit that endures," writes aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy For the Soul. She also states the emotional benefits of the oil are to encourage humility, simplicity, assurance, perseverance, mindfulness, trust, direction, and tenacity.

Basic Scotch Pine Facts

Pine trees grow throughout much of the world, and essential oil is distilled from various species of pine. The focus of this profile is scotch, also called scots, pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Other species may have properties different from those discussed here. Species include longleaf pine (Pinus palastris), dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), white pine (Pinus strobus), red (Norway) pine (Pinus resinous), and pinyon (also known as pinion or piñon) pine (Pinus edulis).

Plant family: Pinaceae

Production: Steam distilled from pine needles.

Aroma: Fresh, pungent, earthy.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Top to middle.

Is pine safe to use during pregnancy? I found contradictory answers to this question. Consult a professional.

Is pine essential oil safe for children? Some sources recommend not using the oil on children under age 2.

Cautions: Oxidized scotch pine may cause skin sensitization. Store the oil in a cool, dark place to help prevent oxidation.

Main components of scotch pine:

• alpha-pinene      20.3–45.8%
• beta-pinene         1.9–33.3%
• delta-3-carene     0.4–31.8%
• beta-phellandrene 0.3–10.9%

Note: Scotch pine oils vary considerably. There are potentially two chemotypes: beta-pinene and delta-3-carene. Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Pine Essential Oil Benefits

Pine has disinfecting properties and is popular in cleaning blends.

The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: Pine is a common adrenal tonic. Although pine is generally not irritating, because of the number of different types of pine, each one needs to be tested for its irritating potential.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Uses of pine essential oil include rheumatism, muscle pain and injury, muscle fatigue, tired and heavy legs, gout, sinus congestion, bronchitis, general debility and fatigue, and mental and nervous exhaustion.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Use scotch pine in skin care for cuts, sores, lice, scabies, and excessive perspiration. The oil is also useful for relieving arthritis, gout, muscle aches and pains, rheumatism, poor circulation, colds, flu, fatigue, nervous exhaustion, and stress-related conditions. Scotch pine supports the respiratory system and may help relieve asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, and sore throat.

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness: The benefits of pine essential oil include helping heal scabies, sores, and cuts, and get rid of head lice. The oil helps relieve cold and flu symptoms and also warms and soothes sore, tired muscles. "Pine comforts and strengthens us when we are feeling unworthy, weak or unsure of ourselves. It tells us that we are unique and helps us to tap into our inner power."

Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, scotch pine essential oil is warm and dry and tonifies Qi-energy. The oil is one of the best to clear cold phlegm from the Lungs and is useful for a variety of respiratory conditions. Pine is a tonic for the Lungs, Kidneys, and nerves and helps relieve fatigue and nervous debility.

Subtle Aromatherapy: Scotch pine is cleansing, invigorating, and promotes feelings of energy and well-being. Use the essential oil to clear your healing or meditation space.

The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing: Scotch pine has a protective energy that's beneficial for highly intuitive people. The oil helps protect from negative psychic energy and unwanted influences. Mentally, this essential oil protects and strengthens the mind. Emotionally, the oil helps protect against absorbing the emotions of other people.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Essential oil of pine energizes, rejuvenates, refreshes, clears, and cleanses. The oil is especially useful for the third chakra to promote self-confidence, self-worth, and self-control.

Essential Oils in Spiritual Practice: Pine simulates the fourth and third chakras. The oil's key vibrations are self-love, self-forgiveness, and trust. This oil restores the heart when your emotions have become hard, releasing you from old wounds, letting you move forward without past baggage. This shift nourishes and replenishes your emotional body, bringing growth, inner peace, a strong sense of well-being, and the ability to engage in loving relationships.

Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Pine's purifying properties release negative energy, especially in public spaces. Use the oil for blessings, to attract abundance, to steady and focus the mind for psychic work, and to aid in spiritual healing and growth.

Pine Essential Oil Blends

Add this energizing blend to an aromatherapy diffuser:

• 7 drops pine
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
  
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Cleaning Blends

Cleaning Spray

• Just under 1/2 cup distilled water
• Dash of white vinegar
• 11 drops pine
• 5 drops orange essential oil

1. Add ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
2. Shake well before each use.
3. Use the spray on non-delicate surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas.

Cleaner for Hard Surfaces

This cleaner is safe to use on tile, laminate, linoleum, vinyl, and wood.

• 1/2 teaspoon castile soap
• 1.5 quarts water
• 1/4 cup borax
• 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 10 drops pine essential oil
  

If this cleaner leaves a residue on floors, rinse with 1/2 white vinegar added to 4.5 quarts of warm water.

Adapted from An Aromatic Life

Personal Blends

Rejuvenating Foot Bath

• 4 drops pine
• 4 drops eucalyptus globulus essential oil
  
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops geranium essential oil
• 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil (other carrier oils are also OK)
  

Blend all ingredients. Fill a foot tub with warm/hot water and add blend. Soak feet for at least 15 minutes.

Source: Rocky Mountain Oils

Massage Oil

For muscle aches and pains, blend the following massage oil:

• 5 drops pine essential oil
  
• 5 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Source: AromaSense

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Photo Credit: Dmitry Makeev [CC BY-SA]