Douglas Fir Essential Oil (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Overview

Douglas Fir may also be referred to as Douglas-fir; Douglas, yellow or red spruce; Oregon pine, Douglastree. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the needles, twigs/branches.

Summary

Douglas Fir Essential Oil offers a somewhat sweeter and more complex aroma when compared to the aroma of other conifer needle oils. I find it to be woody and characteristically pine-like, but it also features layers of citrus and floral notes. It certainly is a beautiful conifer oil to use during the holidays, but I take advantage of its benefits year round. I love how Neryls Purchon and Lora Cantele describe it as "Imagine walking into a florist's shop at Christmas and inhaling the collective aroma of the pine boughs on display along with all the flowers - that's Douglas fir." [Reference: Neryls Purchon and Lora Cantele, Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness (Toronto ON: Robert Rose, 2014), 57.]

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Coniferous Floral Piney Slightly citrus Woody
Common Name(s): Douglas-fir; Douglas, yellow or red spruce; Oregon pine, Douglastree
Botanical Family: Pinaceae
Botanical Genus: Pseudotsuga
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
Major Compounds: Camphene, a-Pinene, B-Pinene, Bornyl acetate, Terpinolene, Sabinene, Terpinen-4-ol
Perfumery Note: Top
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Color: Clear to Pale Yellow
Indigenous Country: United States (e.g., Albania, Washington)
Cultivation: Wild Harvested
Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
Part Typically Used: Needles, Twigs/Branches
Shelf Life: 3-4 years

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Wild Harvested
Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Colds Cystitis Diarrhea Flu Influenza Ulcerative Colitis

Therapeutic Benefits of Douglas Fir:

Anti-inflammatory Anti-septic Decongestant Expectorant Immuno-stimulant Warming

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Douglas Fir:

Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Douglas Fir Essential Oil. However, they precaution to avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Reference: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young,Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 282.]

Safety Precautions for Douglas Fir:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.