Fir is a beautiful evergreen coniferous tree up to 40 m high. Fir has short and soft needles. There are other signs by which you can distinguish fir from spruce and pine: the shape of the crown is most often symmetrical, the needles are thick, dark green in color, resinous and dark gray bark. There are about ten species of fir in Russia, which grow in the Urals, in Western and Eastern Siberia.

Fir oil is obtained mainly from needles and young twigs with a diameter of no more than 8 mm. The procurement of these products takes place in the forests, which are located in ecologically clean regions of Siberia.

In the most severe frosts, it is not recommended to harvest needles, as they crumble, and the quality of fir oil will be worse. The quality of the oil and its yield depends on the season. For example, the largest volume can be obtained in late spring, and the concentration of bornyl acetate, which characterizes the greatest benefit of the oil, will be high in late autumn.

In general, the oil contains dozens of bioactive substances, including vitamins, phytoncides, bornyl acetate, cineole, camphene, organic acids. Fir supplies us with many valuable products, including fir oil, resin, turpentine, camphor, etc.

Fir balsams are prepared from fir resin, which are used in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes. Fir oil has a pleasant invigorating pine needles scent.

Direct oil production is carried out by steam distillation. To achieve the highest concentration of fir oil, the turpentine is vacuum stripped and filtered.

The healing properties of fir turned out to be so valuable that even in ancient times, when people did not know anything about the chemistry and distillation processes, this tree was used to treat various diseases. Therefore, the fir was considered in Athens and Thrace with the sacred tree. For a long time, the inhabitants of Siberia got rid of ailments by applying compresses to sore spots.

What are the medicinal properties of fir oil?

First of all, this is a wound-healing effect, high antiviral and bactericidal activity, as well as antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Funds based on the healing powers of fir have a tonic and strengthening effect.

Essential oil fir, an active substance, and therefore its use should be only after consulting a doctor.

Like all oils, fir oil has a shelf life. Most often, oils should be used within 2 to 3 years. After the expiration date, toxins can accumulate in oils.

Essential oil can be combined with other similar oil products. All kinds of medicines are obtained from fir oil, for example, camphor, various balms, ointments. Fir oil camphor is significantly superior to natural camphor, which is obtained from camphor laurel. This drug stimulates the nervous system and cardiac activity, as well as breathing in acute cardiovascular failure.

Due to the unique properties of fir essential oil, it is used to treat such complex diseases as trophic ulcers, eczema, bedsores. In such cases, fir oil is used in the composition of the base oil or fat.

Fir oil perfectly helps in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in diseases of the joints, as it stimulates blood circulation and lymph circulation. Therefore, ointments based on fir oil are an ambulance for pain and swelling. And yet, we remind you of the need to consult a doctor, especially during pregnancy.

Fir oil is not only a healing balm, but also an excellent aromatic agent that can also be used in case of colds in the form of inhalation or aroma lamp. After all, the smell of a coniferous tree will effectively clean the air in the room from harmful microbes and viruses.

Fir oil can also be used for aromatherapy, for which you need to add just a few drops of the healing agent to the water and enjoy the aroma for 15 minutes. Baths have a positive effect on well-being and on the skin, which becomes firm and elastic.

In addition, fir oil is an excellent cosmetic product. When added to a base oil, it acts as a rejuvenator and tonic. Fir oil in combination with tea tree oil is good for herpes. Fir essential oil is often a component of many cosmetics. Many oily skin care creams contain fir oil.

Fir oil is suitable for those who are in a depressed, depressed state, it helps to get the soul out of a serious illness, gives confidence.

Contraindications

But, like all medicines, and such active ones as fir oil, there are contraindications.

Indeed, it can harm those who:
an allergy to fir oil;
disease of the gastrointestinal tract;
serious kidney disease;
pregnancy;
deep and fresh skin lesions;
serious diseases of the cardiovascular system;
epilepsy.

Fir oil should not be used if alcohol was consumed the day before. And in general, in the case of treatment with fir oil, alcohol should be abandoned.

The essential oil remains in the body for a long time, regardless of how you used it - baths, inhalations, compresses, etc. Therefore, alcoholic beverages can be taken at least 4-6 days after treatment with fir oil. It is even necessary to give up alcohol-based medicines.

The use of oil for children can only be approved by a doctor. Some essential oils, including fir, in case of an allergic reaction, cause spasms of the respiratory tract.

Cosmetic properties of oil

Fir oil is used to normalize the water-lipid balance of the epithelium, moisturizes the skin, prevents the appearance of skin pigmentation, especially age-related, improves its color. In addition, the oil cleans pores well, removes fine wrinkles, and prevents the appearance of spider veins.

You can use it in home cosmetics as one of the ingredients for creams, masks and various applications by adding 2-3 drops of oil to the finished cosmetic product.

Vitamins C and E, which are part of the oil, as active antioxidants, slow down the process of wilting and eliminate various inflammatory processes. Fir oil is often used in cosmetics for acne prone skin.

Possessing powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the oil regulates the work of the sebaceous glands, has a deodorizing effect, thereby effectively solving the problem of excessive sweating of the skin. The oil not only helps to get rid of existing acne, but also prevents the appearance of new ones.

The whitening properties of the oil help fight age spots and freckles. Fir essential oil can be used for any skin, because the listed properties of the oil can eliminate all problems that have arisen, regardless of skin type. However, the best results can be seen for those with problematic and oily skin.

In the case of herpes, it is sufficient to apply a mixture of fir oil and tea tree oil to the tip of a glass rod and apply to the affected area three times a day. Usually the problem goes away in 2-3 days.

Fir oil is effective in the care of nails and hands. The oil prevents brittle nails, cleanses and moisturizes the skin of the hands, softens and whitens. In addition, it eliminates sweating of the palms.

The oil can be used not only in homemade or factory-made cosmetics. If necessary, it can be used with a base oil or even as an independent remedy, especially for focal skin inflammations. In this case, it is applied pointwise to the affected areas.

Fir oil is recommended for enhancing hair growth, which is why it is found in many massage mixtures used to massage the scalp. The massage can be done twice a day with a comb or with your hands, which improves blood circulation in the scalp and thereby strengthens the hair and relieves dandruff.

The oil can be added 1-2 drops to the shampoo. This is very powerful. It is good to lubricate split ends of hair with fir oil before shampooing, you can add to fermented milk products and apply the whole mass to the hair. After 15-20 minutes, wash off with warm water.

If you set out to fix your brittle and dull hair, buy fir oil, it will definitely come to your aid. Hair will acquire a healthy shine and well-groomed appearance, hair follicles will be strengthened. Oil is especially useful for oily hair.

In folk remedies, fir oil is recommended against hair loss. To do this, mix in equal proportions the crushed rhizomes of calamus, burdock, hop cones, boil 6 tablespoons of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, add fir essential oil to the infusion and use for shampooing. Such procedures should be done three times a week.

The slightly bitter aroma of fir needles and resin creates the atmosphere of a coniferous forest, which is beneficial for health improvement, therefore, fir takes an honorable place in aromatherapy. And its analgesic properties are invaluable in the treatment of arthrosis, neuralgia, osteochondrosis, gout and rheumatism. Fir oil is a reliable assistant for all occasions.