Black Spruce
Picea mariana (P. Mill.) B.S.P. var. mariana
Black spruce is in the Pinaceae family which includes the Pines and Firs as well as Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica). Black spruce resin was used as a chewing gum; wound healing agent; tea against sore throat; salve greased on the chest against bronchial diseases while Black spruce needles were used in tea against cough; stomach disease because of tobacco abuse. The cones were also used in tea against cold and cough (Deeg, et al. 2012).
The essential oil is distilled from the needles. The essential oil is rich in the ester, bornyl acetate, and supported by monoterpenes (camphene and a-pinene).
Top Affinities for Black Spruce
- Respiratory system: Colds, moist coughs, spasmodic coughs, bronchitis
- Immune System: Immune deficiency. General weakness. Strengthens immunity/ojas.
Specific for adrenal fatigue. Can be used with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). Use in a 1:2 essential oils to vegetable oil dilution. Gently massage into area above kidneys. Apply 2x a day.
The bornyl acetate content indicates that it could be a beneficial analgesic and anti-inflammatory (think musculoskeletal system: muscular aches and pains, stiffness, tension) essential oil, as well as being relaxing. Could blend with other ester rich essential oils or essential oils with a good ester content and the sedative alcohol, linalol. Try it! Let us know….
Aromatherapy Recipes with Black Spruce
Relieve Congestion: Respiratory Stock bottle
5ml bottle (approx 125 drops)
50 drops Black spruce (Picea mariana)
50 drops Eucalyptus radiata
25 drops Frankincense (Boswellia frereana)
**How to use: Add 25 drops to blank personal inhaler. Add 10-15 drops in water diffuser, or 2ml in nebulizing diffuser. Add 3-5 drops to bowl of hot water for steam inhalation.
Nourishment Body Oil
1 fl oz of Jojoba oil
0.5 fl oz of Calendula herbal oil
0.5 fl oz of Sesame oil
10 drops Black spruce (Picea mariana)
8 drops Rose (Rosa damascena)
7 drops Sandalwood (Santalum sp.)
Muscle Aches and Pain Gel
3 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gelly
1 Tbsp Laurel Hydrosol (or Lavender)
1 tsp. German chamomile Hydrosol
10 drops Black spruce (Picea mariana)
5 drops Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
5 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
Enhance Immunity Salt Scrub
2 cups Fine Sea Salt
approx. 1 cup Sesame or other vegetable oil
15 drops Black spruce (Picea mariana)
6 drops Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) or Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
5 drops Eucalyptus radiata
5 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
References:
Deeg, K, Eichhorn T, Alexie G, Kretschmer N, Andersch K, Bauer R, Efferth T. (2012). Growth inhibition of human acute lymphoblastic CCRF-CEM leukemia cells by medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich’in Native Americans. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2, 35–40.
