Essential Oil – Balsam Fir
Latin name : Abies balsamea
French name : Balsam Fir
English name : Balsam Fir
Botanical Family Name Pinaceae
Origin : Quebec, Canada
Harvest time : April to November
Distilled Parts : Twigs and needles
Organoleptic Characteristics : Its appearance is crystal clear with a slightly sweet resinous aroma and a hint of grapefruit.
Components : α and β pinene, limonene, camphene, bornyl acetate.
Origin
The Balsam Fir originates from the northern forests of central and eastern North America. This pyramid-shaped evergreen conifer grows in a variety of soils and climates. Like the black spruce, it is highly resistant to the intense cold of northern regions. It can grow up to 25 meters tall and live for up to 150 years. It is easily recognized among other conifers by its flat, dark green, non-prickly and fragrant needles, marked with two white lines underneath. The blisters on its bark contain a sticky, viscous resin known as balsam gum, Canada balsam, or Canadian turpentine.
History
There are many uses for conifers coming from the First Nations which are listed in literature. The First Nations, the Sisters of Providence and even the famous Hildegard von Bingen, used the Balsam Fir to treat cuts, ulcers, rheumatism, kidney pain, chronic respiratory ailments or like a tonic. This Canadian Fir is anti-scurvy. The bark was also widely used by the First Nations in a decoction or as an infusion for internal problems such as tuberculosis or diarrhea. The Ojibwa used the fir resin added to tallow or fat to make a pitch to seal their canoes. The Europeans used fir gum in optics to attach lenses because of its high quality of transparency.
Balsam Fir is the iconic Christmas tree for many Westerners. At the beginning of the Canadian winter, its slightly sweet resinous fragrance with its hint of grapefruit overflows in homes bringing warmth and happiness during the festivities of the holiday season.
Contra-indications
None, at physiological doses.
Videos
References
- Festy Danièle, Ma bible des huiles essentielles, Guide complet d’aromathérapie, Montréal, Éditions Caractère, 2009.
- Site officiel : Ressources naturelles Canada.
- Franchomme, P., Jollois, R,. Pénoël, D., L’aromathérapie exactement, Encyclopédie de l’utilisation thérapeutique des huiles essentielles, fondements, démonstration, illustration et applications d’une science médicale naturelle, Bayeux, Éditions Roger Jollois, 2001. Hydrosols : The Next Aromatherapy, 2001.
- http://www.wikiphyto.org
- Frère Marie-Victorin, Rouleau Ernest, Brouillet Luc et collaborateurs, Flore laurentienne 3e édition, Gaëtan Morin Éditeur ltée, 2002.
- Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 1998.
- Mathieu Jacques, L’annedda, l’arbre de vie, Québec, Les Éditions du Septentrion, Les cahiers du Septentrion, 2009.