I have fallen madly in love with piñon pine, also spelled pinyon, this autumn. Gathered and distilled right here in the United States, Pinon pine grows in the southern states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and parts of Texas.
The leaves are distilled for the essential oil while the resin or pitch is used in herbal medicine for making chest salves and cough syrups. Pinon pine resin is also used to remove splinters and is considered beneficial for wound healing and for warming a localized area.
Pinon pine essential oil is rich in monoterpenes, specifically a-pinene (upwards of 50%), supported by esters.
As an individual component, a-pinene supports much of the therapeutic activity of pinon pine, although clearly a whiff of the essential oil will enlighten us to the depth of this oils therapeutic potential. It’s truly a beautiful rich essential oil!
With a natural affinity to the respiratory system, Pinon pine is an effective antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic (think coughs), antiviral, immune stimulating, and analgesic essential oil. Pinon pine also soothes and comforts the nervous system.
Autumn is a great time to be utilizing the power of Pinon pine. Here are a few of our favorite recipes with Pinon pine essential oil.
Chest Salve
20 Pinon Pine (Pinus edulis)
10 Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol
16 Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
12 Lemon (Citrus limon)
Total: 58 drops total
Make a salve base with 1/4+ cup of oil (sesame, almond, jojoba, etc.), 1/4 ounce beeswax. This recipe will make 2 – 1 ounce glass jars. Use 24-32 drops of the synergy in each jar.
Breathing Space Inhaler
12 drops Pinon pine (Pinus edulis)
5 drops Nard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
8 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
See “How to make an aromatherapy inhaler”.
Pinon Pine Enhance Immunity Salt Scrub</h4
7 drops Pinon pine (Pinus edulis)
5 drops Green myrtle (Myrtus communis)
2 drops Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
5 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
1 cup fine sea salts
1/2 – 3/4 cup sesame or jojoba oil (or other vegetable oil)
For Men: Relieve Stress Personal Inhaler
10 drops Pinon pine (Pinus edulis)
12 drops Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
5 drops Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
