Black Spruce essential oil
Picea mariana
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: Canada
Plant description: Size: Black spruce trees can grow to be 25–50 ft tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. Crown: Black spruce trees have a spire-like or narrowly conic crown. Needles: Black spruce trees have short, stiff, blunt-tipped, bluish-green needles that are 1–2 cm long. The needles are arranged spirally around the branches. Cones: Black spruce trees have small, cylindrical, reddish-brown cones that are 2–4 cm long. The cones open in the fall to release small, dark brown, winged seeds. Bark: Black spruce trees have gray-brown bark.
Part of plant used for essential oil: Needles and Twigs
Extraction method: Steam Distilled
Main Chemical Constituents: Bornyl Acetate, B-Pinene, a-Pinene, Camphene, (+)-Limonene, Camphor
PRECAUTIONS: Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Black Spruce Essential Oil. However, they precaution to avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized.
PROPERTIES: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, decongestant, expectorant, and mucolytic
Uses:
Circulation/muscles/joints: Tendonitis, muscular strain, over -exercised muscles, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, calming muscle spasms, sore muscles, inflammation
Immune System: Immune support
Mental/Emotional: energizing and stimulating, easing anxiety and stress
Respiratory system: respiratory support, clearing mucus and congestion, cough
Skin care: Cellulite
Spruce trees are considered some of the oldest living beings on the planet. In fact, the oldest living tree is a Spruce. Old Tjikko, lives in Sweden and is thought to be 9,550 years old. Black spruce is one of the only species that can grow in shallow soil above permafrost in northern habitats. As permafrost melts, black spruce and other northern trees can tip over. This phenomenon is called drunken trees.
Things to Do with Black Spruce Essential Oil
Grounding Meditation: Add a few drops to your diffuser during meditation to promote feelings of calm, focus, and connection to nature. The woodsy, fresh scent helps clear mental fog.
Muscle Relief Rub: Mix black spruce essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut and massage into sore muscles after a workout. It’s known for anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Forest Bathing at Home: Create a mini forest vibe by adding black spruce to your diffuser or bath. It conjures the atmosphere of an evergreen forest to refresh your senses and spirits.
Stress Reduction Spray: Combine black spruce with lavender and distilled water in a spray bottle to mist your pillow or workspace. This blend helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Aromatherapy Chest Rub: Blend with eucalyptus and peppermint for a soothing chest rub during cold or allergy season, helping to clear sinuses and ease breathing.
Candle Making: Incorporate black spruce essential oil into homemade candles for a crisp, woody scent that’s perfect for cozy, magical vibes.
Hair Care Boost: Add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner to invigorate your scalp, stimulate hair growth, and give your hair a fresh, forest-like aroma.
Room Freshener: Diffuse black spruce oil in common areas to fill your home with a natural, uplifting aroma that promotes clarity and peace.
Spiritual Cleansing: Use black spruce essential oil in smudging sprays or diffusers to cleanse your space of negative energy and invite grounding protection.
DIY Massage Oil: Blend with warm carrier oils and a touch of vanilla or cedarwood for a sensual massage oil that relaxes muscles and enhances mood.
Black spruce oil is a versatile powerhouse, blending nature’s calm with a bit of mystical forest magic—just what you need to live your best magical life.
References:
Black Spruce. (n.d.). Aroma Web. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/black-spruce-essential-oil.php
Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 429.
Valerie Ann Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition (Novato, CA: New World Library, 2016, 624.
