Botanical Name Pinus sylvestris
Plant Part Needles & Twigs
Extraction Method Steam distilled
Origin Hungary
Description This evergreen tree can grow up to 40 meters (130 feet) and has a flat crown. The bark is a reddish-brown that is deeply fissured with needle-like gray-green leaves that grow in pairs, orange-yellow flowers, and pointed brown cones. It is not as readily available as regular pine trees accounting for the price discrepancy.
Color Colorless to pale yellow
Common Uses Pine Scotch essential oil is viewed as an analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic, and as an antiviral. Aromatherapists credit its use for arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, catarrh, cholagogue, as a circulatory agent, for colds, convalescence, coughs, cuts, cystitis, as a decongestant and deodorant, and for detoxifying, disinfectanting, and acting as a diuretic. It has also been applied to eczema, those with laryngitis, lice, muscular aches, neuralgia, psoriasis, rheumatism, ringworm, scrapes, and sinusitis. It’s versatility is well documented.
Strength of Aroma Strong
Blends well with Pine Scotch blends well with citronella, clary sage, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, juniper, lavender, myrrh, rosemary, spikenard, tea tree
Aromatic Scent The essential oil has a crisp, fresh, sweet, forest like aroma. It is more resinous and warm smelling than the regular pine oil, with a lower content of turpentines. The main chemical properties of Pine oil are Sylvestrene, Pinene, Bornyl acetate, Dipentene, Cardinene and Phellandrene.
History It was used by the Native Americans to prevent scurvy and the needles were used to stuff mattresses and to repel lice and fleas. The ancient Egyptians used the pine kernels in their cooking.
Cautions Although pine and pine needle oil is considered safe since it is non-toxic and non-irritant it should still be used with care on the skin since it can cause irritation in high dosage and may sensitize the skin as well.