For its healing properties in 1535, the pine tree was named the tree of life. It was used by Indians to fight scurvy, and in the Middle Ages it helped fight the plague epidemic. One of the most valuable substances contained in this tree is essential oil. It is present in almost all its parts.
Chemical composition
Pine oil - is an oily turbid liquid of pale yellow color. It has a resinous, spicy, with a camphor flavor.
The chemical composition depends on the place of tree growth, on the time of year when the raw material was procured. But basically 2 types of oil are distinguished according to the presence of D3-Karen or a-pinene in it. More often used "pinenovuyu" variety, because the "Karen" more allergenic to humans. The composition contains up to 60% pinene and 11% qaren. In addition, the extract contains cadinene, limonene, camphor, healing bitter gums and other biological elements with antiseptic and disinfectant properties. In addition to vitamins C, D and carotene, also contains vitamins B2, E, K and R.
Did you know? The needles contain 6 times more vitamins and microelements than orange and burdock oils. It is very valuable in winter when the amount of greens and berries is limited.
Beneficial features
Essential oil of pine favorably affects the emotional state of a person:
- Eliminates anxiety, pessimism and indifference.
- Fights fatigue, beautifully tones.
- Helps to cope with criticism and irritation.
- Useful for the unstable psyche of adolescents.
- Acts like an aphrodisiac.
- Eliminates inflammation and pain.
- It helps with back diseases.
- Removes kidney stones.
- It has choleretic and diuretic effects.
- Relieves cough, increases expectorant action.
- It helps with frostbite, burns and wound healing.
- Reduces fever and improves the condition with a cold.
- Relieves pustules, scars and pigmentation.
- Relieves headache.
- Normalizes blood pressure.
- Used in cosmetology.
Read about the beneficial properties and use of citronella and lavender essential oils, as well as black cumin, flax, opuntia, clove and avocado oils.
Application
Due to its numerous beneficial properties, pine oil has found widespread use as a rejuvenating agent, and it is also suitable for permanent hair care.
For hair
Pine essential extract is an effective means to improve the condition of the hair. It is added to cosmetic hair care products. Drugs with him:
- strengthen weak and brittle hair;
- relieve from loss;
- heal split ends;
- help with baldness and dandruff.
For skin and face
Essential oil quickly penetrates the bloodstream and has the following effect:
- due to the production of collagen smoothes wrinkles;
- reduces puffiness;
- eliminates rashes and pigmentation;
- restores skin tone;
- protects against the harmful effects of the environment.
During pregnancy
Many essential oils, including pine, differently affect the state of pregnant women. The mechanisms of aromatherapy are still little studied, so the opinions of physicians on the issue of application differ sharply. Still, these are highly concentrated substances that are not found in nature in this form.
Therefore, before applying it is better to consult a doctor. And if you get his approval, then adhere to several rules:
- do not take them inside;
- use for external use only;
- exclude completely in the first trimester, when the placenta is not yet formed.
For inhalation
Inhalations with pine ether are used with great success for colds, as well as to improve the emotional background. There are two types of inhalations:
- Cold. Drip a couple of drops on a handkerchief and inhale the scent for a few minutes.
- Hot. Add to the oil burner or dissolved in boiling water. You can cover your head with a towel and breathe steam for 5 minutes. You can also add essential oil of lavender or eucalyptus.
Did you know? Pine aroma is the essential oils contained in it. Their concentration in 1 kg of wood is 2%, and in cones and needles - up to 6%.
Dosage and conditions of use
The oil we are considering is perhaps the only one that cannot be used continuously for more than one week. When applying it is important to adhere to the dosage:
- 5 drops in aroma lamps for air disinfection and improving the emotional background.
- 2 drops in aromacolon.
- A couple of drops in the baths and about 4 for flavoring bath.
- 5-6 drops for a massage when removing pain and skin lesions.
- 7 drops per 10 g of an oil basis for rubbing.
- 2 drops per 5 g of cosmetic.
Important! Per day, take orally no more than 2 drops. Reception is better divided by 2 times: 1 drop with honey or jam.
Harm and contraindications
If you decide to use pine oil to improve your health or get rid of diseases, then you should learn about some cautions:
- Take only a drug approved as a dietary supplement.
- Do not use for children under 6 years.
- Do not take on an empty stomach.
- Use with caution to children and the elderly, so as not to provoke allergies in the former, and in the latter, hypertension.
- Do not use for ulcers and gastritis.
- Delete in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- No more than 2 drops per day, no longer than a week.
How to do: cooking pine oil at home
In pharmacies, it is not a problem now to purchase any necessary drug. But sometimes it stops the price or the dubious quality of the product. You can get essential oil at home. At the same time it is necessary to adhere to some rules when preparing raw materials:
- It is necessary to collect raw materials away from roads and various enterprises, as well as landfills.
- The billet is made in the morning when the concentration of esters is higher in plants.
- Raw materials must be dry, clean and of high quality.
After harvesting raw materials proceed to the extraction. This can be done in three ways: cold maceration, hot maceration and distillation:
- With cold maceration chopped raw materials (kidneys or needles) fill a third of the jars and pour oil to the top. Close the lid and leave in a dark place for 5 days. Periodically jar need to shake. On the 6th day, the oil needs to be filtered, pressed and filled with a new batch of raw materials. So repeat 4 to 10 times. The more you do this, the higher the concentration will be.
- Hot maceration - faster way, but quality will be lower. Do everything as during cold maceration, but do not cover the jar with a lid and put it on the water bath for a low fire for 3-4 hours. The temperature should not exceed 37 degrees. Cool and filter.
Distillation is the easiest method, but it requires a distiller.
Important! Oil, cooked at home, must be stored in a bottle of dark glass, in the refrigerator and not longer than 11 months.
For face
To prepare the anti-aging mask you need to take:
- cocoa powder - 1 tbsp. l .;
- almond oil - 3 drops;
- nonfat yogurt - 1 tbsp. l .;
- pine little - 1 drop.
Mix all the ingredients. Before the procedure, the face should be steamed and evenly applied a mask. After half an hour, rinse with warm water and lubricate with a moisturizer.
You can make face cream:
- two drops of lavender and juniper oil;
- 1 drop of pine;
- 10 ml of any baby or neutral cream.
All mixed and applied as a cream. Promotes hydration and rejuvenation of the skin. Gives a good effect in the fight against edema, rashes and pigmentation.
For hair
To strengthen the hair, prepare this mask:
- 100 ml of castor oil;
- 6 drops of pine;
- 3 drops of bergamot;
- 2 drops of clove.
All ingredients mix and hold for a minute in a water bath. Apply the warm mixture to the scalp and massage for about 5 minutes. Collect the hair under the cap and leave for an hour. After that, wash your hair with shampoo. This mask promotes the flow of blood to the bulbs and strengthens the hair. Adding 3-4 drops of pine oil to 5 ml of shampoo helps to cope with baldness, relieves dandruff, gives elasticity and shine.
Effectively in the fight against dandruff helps: nettle, stevia, chard, string, purslane, coltsfoot, white willow bark, nasturtium, thyme, chives, lemon and garlic.
It is possible to strengthen the hair in such a simple way as applying a couple of drops of essential oil onto the teeth of a comb.
Thus, the importance of pine extract in our lives is undeniable. Its application, like the pine itself, is very versatile.
In the old days it was believed that the pine is able to remove damage, its resin (amber) - to attract wealth, and cushioned branches in the pillow - to save from disease. Use all the ingredients of this wonderful tree, and be healthy!