Among the Pines
Sharing the essence of pine.
Pines clear a path.
These tall, often thin, wooden towers produce an essential oil that is:
“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” - John Muir
supportive of the respiratory system
supportive of the immune system
anti-inflammatory
anti-bacterial
analgesic (pain-relieving)
As an aromatherapist I use the essence of pine most often to clear the air. This plant is a wonderful ally to help clear phlegm and congestion, and is an excellent choice for drying up the last days of a persistent, nasty cough.
The use of pine in healing respiratory ailments is not modern. Native Americans applied pine sap salves to the chests of people suffering from respiratory congestion, and parts of the soft inner-bark were sometimes consumed to prevent starvation.
Pine needles are rich with beta-carotene and vitamin C, and can contain up to four times more Vitamin C than orange juice! These benefits are best obtained through enjoying carefully made pine tea.
Pines have always reminded me of home. Like so many in the South, I grew up among the pines, and I’m drawn to their clean, fresh aroma.
Pairing Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil in a diffuser will create an uplifting, woodsy scent reminiscent of PineSol (sans chemicals). It takes me back to childhood remembering the freshly mopped floors of my elementary school.
If you’re lucky enough to live among the pines, enjoy exchanging breaths with the trees that are known as a symbol of longevity, survival, and recovery.
This was never more beautifully illustrated than after the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. A single pine survived the devastation in Rikuzentakata City. Now called the “Miracle Pine,” this beacon of hope stands as a memorial to that fateful day. David McElhinney at the Tokyo Weekender put it in incredible perspective. The “Miracle Pine” was:
“one of 70,000 along the Rikuzentakata coastline, was “miraculously” the only one to withstand the force of the tsunami – to put it into perspective, the waves were, at times, as high as 40 meters and travelling well over 400 mph. How the tree managed to stay upright, genuinely beggars belief.
Though the tree’s roots had been poisoned by salt water, the base of the tree remained relatively unscathed. The tree was taken down and embalmed to prevent it from decay, before a metallic rod was erected through the hollowed-out trunk in the same – now slightly curved – shape of the pine. It is this taxidermized version of Miracle Pine that we see today, rising triumphantly towards the heavens from the flat ground beneath.”
May we all be as resilient and stoic as a pine. 💚
There are many ways to enjoy the aroma and healing properties of these medicinal trees. Since pine needles were historically burned as a means of spiritual protection by some Native American tribes, try adding a bundle of pine needles into a cozy fall fire.
Enjoy the aroma to feel protected and invigorated!
Jacquelyn Benjamin, Weaving Alchemy
There are many varieties of pine essential oil. Here are a few:
Black pine (Pinus nigra)
Maritime or Sea pine (Pinus pinaster)
Pinon pine (Pinus edulis)
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) - high vitamin C content species
Red pine (Pinus resinosa)
Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)
White pine (Pinus strobus) - very gentle, child-safe