Black Spruce Hydrosol 

The quality of a HYDROSOL

The quality of a hydrosol depends on the plant and the soil in which the plant grew. It also depends on the quality of the air, the climatic conditions during the growth of the plant, the precise time chosen to  collect the plant, the waiting time before distillation and, of course, the quality of the water.

BoreA Canada is able to meet all these quality criteria thanks to its very favourable geographical location, in the heart of the wild boreal forest, far from homes and pollution and where the water, land and air are pure.

Latin Name: Picea mariana

French Name: Épinette Noire

English Name: Black Spruce

Botanical Family Name: Abietaceae or Pinaceae

Origin: Quebec, Canada

Distilled Parts: Branches and needles

Organoleptic Specificities: Clear and colourless, smells like fresh conifers and a sweet almost iced resin, slightly spicy with a citrus note, but still liquid like many coniferous hydrosols

Main Components of the Essential Oil Part: 300 mg/L Essential Oil : Bornyl Acetate 25 %, α-Pinene 20 %, Camphene 15 %, δ3-Hull 9 %

CANADA, NORTH OF QUEBEC PROVINCE

A LONG TRIP TO BLACK SPRUCE IN BOREAL FOREST

To reach the Black Spruce in Boreal Forest, where it is distilled, the tourist might say that it is as far as going to SAINT-FAR-AWAY-OF-SO-FAR NORTH!

ORIGIN

The Black Spruce is a majestic conifer with a height of 8 to 20 meters that watches over our Canadian forests from coast to coast to coast. This conifer grows where other species cannot grow. Favoring wet, sandy or peaty soils, this tree mainly covers the territories of Canada’s Far North up to the tundra limit of the Lower Arctic and the northeastern United States. Its branches are rough and its bark is furrowed. The trees are reddish-brown when young and get darker as they mature. Its greyish-green needles are straight and tight along the twig. Its fruit is a small purple cone that, when ripe, becomes light brown. Of the forty varieties of spruce, the Black Spruce is the most resistant to a very cold climate. In fact, it can withstand up to -60 degrees Celsius according to some studies. Without its greatest enemy, fire, this tree could live up to 280 years.

 

HISTORY

Native Americans have been using the many medicinal plants of the boreal forest for thousands of years to heal themselves. This knowledge comes from an oral tradition. For example, the Cree used Black Spruce as an antidiarrheal by preparing infusions from the cones. Needles and cones helped diabetics. In order to reduce the effects of a burn, they made salves from Black Spruce resin and chewed the cones to relieve toothache.

The Montagnais used it to prepare infusions against sore throat and to treat coughs. Native American children chewed the resin to whiten their teeth. They also attributed powerful scurvy fighting properties to Black Spruce.

Used mainly to build settlers’ dwellings, the tree was also used to brew Spruce beer made from needles, cones and molasses. Under the pretext of preventing scurvy, this drink flowed freely in the evenings of the clergy! In 1772, the English physician Henry Taylor discovered a method of extracting spruce essence and recommended it for respiratory ailments. Dr. Taylor was also the founder of the first distillery in Quebec City.

BENEFITS

Black Spruce hydrosol contains 300 mg/L of essential oil and 99.9% pure water with a pH of 4.2 to 4.4. To be specific, the product results from the steam distillation of the branches and needles of the Black Spruce and not from a mixture of water and essential oil. It seems to increase energy metabolism and stimulate the body. Research is ongoing, but the results are encouraging. In synergy the essential oil of Black Spruce and Scots Pine balances the endocrine system. It is an indispensable and very effective supplement against the symptoms of perimenopause. For a spring and fall protocol: apply a few drops of Black Spruce essential oil in the morning on the adrenals and lower back and drink 500 ml of water mixed with 25 ml of Black Spruce hydrosol during your day, for two weeks. This recipe does magic to stimulate the body and fight fatigue and exhaustion.

Using Black Spruce essential oil in a warm or cold wrap or compress, as well as in a bath, are always interesting ways to calm pain and inflammation.

As with Eastern White Cedar hydrosol, it is a very refreshing aftershave for men. For women (a recipe by Suzanne Catty), says that it has an excellent toning effect on the décolleté when mixed with peppermint hydrosol. Spray every day for a good results.

Animals prefer natural smells. Spray directly on their coat or bed to reduce bad odors or as a mosquito repellent.

PSYSICAL

  • Skin System: astringent, anti-inflammatory at the initial stage, antibacterial, provides sedation, relaxation and relief.
  • Endocrine System: for essential oil, corticomimetic (pituitary-adrenal axis and pituitary-ovarian axis). Research is continuing to validate the effects of hydrosol on these systems.
  • Nervous System: relaxing, neurotonic: regulates serotonin (the hormone of happiness), promotes sleep and calms chronic pain in combination with Black Spruce essential oil.
  • Osteo-articular System: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, decongestant.

PSYCHIC

  • Releases serotonin, which has the effect of acting as a natural antidepressant, increasing the feeling of well-being, calming our interior selves and increasing empathy. Good for 4 o‘clock tea with friends.

  • Psychological toner.

  • Adaptogen.

Uses: mycoses and skin parasitosis, acne, psoriasis, eczema, asthenia (tiredness), muscular rheumatism, arthritis.

Contra-indications: None.

Recommendations: Essential oils and hydrosols are wonderful for the well-being of humans, animals, insects and plants. There are many books on the subject of aromatherapy and they should be referred to for the proper and safe use of essential oils. We also recommend that you consult an aromatherapy professional, who will be able to target the aromatic molecules of essential oils and their biochemical groupings, thereby increasing the effectiveness of your care.

The information provided on this website does NOT in any way constitute a recommendation for the care or treatment of any particular medical condition or disease.

We do not add any preservatives to our hydrosols, so they should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from light and air, in order to keep them for 1 to 3 years.

Documentation

References

  • 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.
  • Festy Danièle, Ma bible des huiles essentielles, Guide complet d’aromathérapie, Montréal,
    Éditions Caractère, 2009.
  • Miles E., Baudoux D., Les cahiers pratiques d’aromathérapie selon l’école Française,
    volume 6, Réflexologie, Édition Inspir S.A., Luxembourg, 2008. Ressources naturelles
    Canada, https://aimfc.rncan.gc.ca/fr/arbres/fiche/39
  • Traditional use of medicinal plants in the boreal forest of Canada: review and perspectives:
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1746-4269-8-7 Turbide Michel, L’Aromathérapie, Huiles essentielles du Québec et du monde, Applications thérapeutiques, Otterburn Park, Santé-Arôme, 2015.
  • Werner Monica, Von Braunschweig Ruth, L’Aromathérapie, Principes, Indications, Utilisations, Paris, Éditions Vigot, 2007.