With Summer slowly coming to a close, and the new school year just around the corner, now is the best time to start boosting our immune systems. Especially if you have littles at home! And what better way to boost our immune system, than by incorporating essential oils into your daily routine. Not only can the right oils help bolster your immune system, they also leave your house smelling absolutely divine!
There are many essential oils available that are great at helping to boost your immune system, one of which is Abies Balsamea, more commonly known as Balsam Fir.
The Balsam Fir tree is a relatively small coniferous tree, which is mainly grown for use as Christmas trees and for lumber. It is a tree that’s native to Canada which grows in a pyramid shape and has a white silvery bark.
Balsam Fir has been traditionally used for centuries to treat fevers, colds, flus and many other types of sinus and respiratory infections.
While for many other oils, the best time to harvest the botanical is during the warmer months, for Balsam Fir it’s the opposite. The best time of year to harvest this botanical- in order to insure the greatest oil yield- is during the Winter months. With the highest percentage of essential oil yields being from January-March, while they are at their lowest from April to August.
In some European Countries, Balsam Fir was highly prized for it’s medical virtues and it’s ever so lovely fragrant scent. There it has been used for countless years for fevers, most respiratory complaints and even rheumatic pains.
Precautions: There are no known contraindications for this essential oil.
My favorite use for this essential oil is to help alleviate sinus infections, colds and to use it as an expectorant. It’s benefits don’t end there though! You can use this oil topically (diluted of course!) for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and to help relieve back pain, joint pain and rheumatic pains. This essential oil is also very helpful in helping one deal with stress, anxiety and depression as well as nervous tension.
Have you used Balsam Fir essential oil before? I’d love to hear what your favorite use for it is!