Commonly referred to as Scots or Scotch Pine, or botanically Pinus sylvestris, Pine needle essential oil is used in cough and cold medicines, nasal decongestants and analgesic ointments.  An excellent tonic for lungs, and useful for sinus congestion, mucus conditions, asthma.  A valuable remedy for fatigue & nervous exhaustion, commonly used to relieve muscles and joint pain, rheumatism & arthritis. When the resin is extracted from the pine tree (or eucalyptus in some cases) and distilled, an incredibly useful essential oil called turpentine is produced. A great energetic cleansing tea can be made from pine needles combined with dandelion, star anise & fennel. All the “spiky” things. For the spiky thing. Pine needle tea is incidentally high in vitamin c.

The pine has a rich history throughout the ages in various ancient traditions. An evergreen, pine symbolised immortality. The ancient Egyptians buried an image of the god Osiris in the hollowed-out centre of a pine tree, perhaps to remember the story of Osiris being thrown into the Nile by his brother Seth and eventually lodging in a pine tree. The Greeks considered pine to symbolise fertility. The Romans the pine was an object of worship during the spring equinox, whilst druids utilised pine to celebrate the winter solstice & the passing of the seasons. The Scottish Gaelic saw Scots pine as a symbol of durability. And today of course we know that the pinecone represents the pineal gland in new and old traditions and teachings, a symbol of human enlightenment, resurrection, eternal life and regeneration. The pine tree and its parts have always been an important facet of ancient life, and I have touched on just a few traditions.

Some facts and stats:

Perfumery: It’s a middle note.

Ayurveda: Pine is a Kapha essential oil, reflecting the elements of Fire and Water. It’s reputed to be a useful oil to improve metabolism and aid the body in toxin removal by speeding up urinary elimination & purifying the blood. 

Energetically: It does its main work in the Heart and Solar plexus region, but as you can see from the actions listed below, Pine has uses throughout the energy body.

Actions: anti-microbial, anti-neuralgic, antirheumatic, anti-septic, anti-viral, bactericidal, balsamic, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticidal, rubefacient, tonic.

In the last year we’ve found Pine needles to be most useful for cleansing the body of unwanted medicinal side effects, I’ll say no more on this one here and now, but I did make a veiled mention above.

Some ways to use Pine essential oil:

For lung and sinus congestion, simply add a few drops of pine to a warm to hot bowl of water and inhale (best with a towel over your head) or mix 20 drops of pine into 30 grams of ointment base or shea butter. Apply as needed.

For full body pain relief mix 60 drops pf pine with half a cup of castile liquid soap and pour into a warm bath.

To use as needed anywhere, add 9 drops of pine into a 10ml remedy roller bottle full of jojoba oil. Apply to sore joints, cuts, your temples to relieve nervous tension.