Silver fir essential oil - Abies alba

Family : Pinaceae

Certification : Essential oil from certified, controlled organic cultivation, 100% pure and natural, uncut and undeterpenated. It is certified AB by Bureau Veritas Certification France (FRBIO10).

Part of the plant used : Needles

Method of obtaining : Traditional steam distillation

Origin : Bulgaria

This coniferous tree, known as vargne, vuargne or vouargno in Savoyard, is found in our Alpine forests at altitudes of between 400m and 1800m. It accounts for 20% of the area covered by conifers in Savoie. It can reach 40 to 60 metres in height and can live up to 300 years. Its needles are arranged in a plane like the teeth of a comb. They are easily recognised by the two white stripes on their underside. Its cylindrical cones can measure from 10 to 15 cm and are erect at the top. When ripe, they fall apart on the tree.

We're all familiar with the sweet scent of fir given off by the forest or Christmas tree. This little-known essential oil, apart from pleasing the senses, has some very interesting properties.

You can use it as a vapour to clear the air and combat colds (to increase its power, you can combine it with Scots pine or eucalyptus), but also to relax and soothe your mind.

It can also be used in baths or massages to relieve aches and pains or stimulate you when you're feeling temporarily tired.

Don't confuse fir gum oil, sometimes called dry oil, which is a resin emulsion in a vegetable oil base, with fir essential oil, which is the product of distilling the needles.

Limonene, Alpha pinene
*The chemotype is the essential oil's identity card, its composition chemically defined by chromatographic analysis. The same plant may have several compositions, depending on location and variety. A chemotype determines a property, an odour or a taste.

The main constituents of Pectin Fir essential oil are :
- Monoterpenes : limonene, alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene
- Sesquiterpenes : beta-caryophyllene
- Terpene esters : bornyl acetate
- Monoterpene alcohols : citronellol

Bronchitis, cold, fatigue, rheumatism, increasing the vibratory level of a home.

Main : Antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-catarrhal, tonic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, respiratory decongestant.

Secondary : Energising, analgesic, antiviral.

Essential oils are powerful natural substances and should therefore be used with care. Although essential oils have been used since ancient times, there is often a lack of knowledge about how to use them and what precautions to take. Many books deal with essential oils. It is therefore advisable to refer to them for traditional methods of use. 

An essential oil is made up of chemically defined molecules (about 10,000 listed) that have been secreted by special plant cells. It can consist of from one to several hundred molecules, which helps explain why some essential oils have many properties but different therapeutic effectiveness. To guarantee the properties necessary for effective aromatherapy, it is important that an essential oil is 100% pure and natural (not cut, not deterpenated, not mixed with alcohol or vegetable oils) and preferably organic. This is the case for the essential oils we sell. They are sold in tinted bottles with a dropper cap.

Go to the "Properties and characteristics of essential oils" file. Whether pure or mixed, you can use them in our different diffuser models. The information given on each essential oil is for guidance only. Beware of self-diagnosis, do not hesitate to consult an aromatherapist or any other recognised professional and read our special file "properties of essential oils"in our thematic files. 

WARNING : These properties, indications and methods of use are taken from reference books and websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. Many of them have been confirmed by scientific observations. However, this information is provided for information purposes only, and in no way constitutes medical information, nor does it incur our liability. For any therapeutic use of essential oils, consult a doctor.

This essential oil is not suitable for internal use, only on medical prescription and in limited doses and for limited periods, as it may naturally contain traces of acetone. Do not use during pregnancy or while breast-feeding, or on children under the age of 6. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children. Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment of the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool. As a general rule, always carry out a test application of your preparation, in the crease of the elbow, at least 48 hours before using it.