Pine - January 2010

BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris

FAMILY: Pinaceae

HERBAL APPLICATIONS:  Pine boughs grace our homes with far more than just Christmas trees.  As they dry and release their essential oils, they clean the air and enliven the spririt.  Dried pine needles, stuffed into dog beds, repel fleas and help prevent respiratory problems in dogs.  Try using a fresh pine bough to sweep your garage, workshop, pet areas or laundry room.  A lot of lurking germs will go into the dustbin along with sweepings. 

People have used poultices made of fresh pine needles (pounded, moistened and warmed) for centuries to ease respiratory problems.  Just roll the mass of warm, fragrant pine needles in a cotton cloth and lay across the chest.  Pull up the blankets and take some time to rest while the pine poultice does its work.

ESSENTIAL OIL:  Many people think immediately of pine cleaners when they smell the aroma of pine oil.  You can make your own pine cleaner and avoid chemical additives by simply adding pine oil to wash water for bathroom, kitchen and hard surface flooring.  A diffusion of pine oil is helpful if family members or pets are suffering from colds, bronchitis or pneumonia (of course, you must consult a medical professional for serious conditions like pneumonia.

Have you even wondered why evergreens can remain green even in sub-freezing temperatures?  The essential oils, concentrated in the needles, act like anti-freeze for the tree. 

Pine needles and pine oil can act like anti-freeze for people also.  Both needles and oil are warming when added to winter baths.  Pine oil can be irritating to the skin, so use just a drop or two, mixed with a nice immune-boosting oil like tea trea or lavender.

A room spray of pine oil and water (use 12 drops essential oil per one ounce of water in a spray bottle) is a quick and lively air cleaner.  Pine oil is also a great oil to add to simmer pots or a pot of water on the wood stove.