Black Spruce Essential Oil: Its Benefits, Uses, and Origins

Black spruce has been known to give out a forest-like aroma that is associated with the Christmas holiday season. Although its oil is known for aromatherapy, black spruce have been used for thousands of years because of their numerous medicinal properties.

Looking like a Christmas tree, black spruce is a slow-growing evergreen coniferous tree native to Canada but also grow in parts of Alaska and northern United States. Black spruce (Picea mariana) of family Pinaceae can grow up to 40 feet in height and have drooping branches.

It has dark bluish-green, needle-like leaves and small purplish cones.

Black spruce essential oil ranges from clear to pale yellow color. It is extracted from the needles and branches of the tree through steam distillation. Its scent is described to be fresh, crisp, woody, and early. Its key components are bornyl acetate, α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, and limonene.

Traditional Uses of Black Spruce Essential Oil

Lakota Indians in the northern parts of United States were known to use black spruce oil to treat wounds from combats and relieve sore muscles. They also use the oil to relieve them from stress and anxiety from all the wars with other tribes.

Native Americans have used this essential oil to relieve joint pains caused by arthritis and disinfect wounds they also used this during meditative rituals known as grounding.

The young black spruce has been used by American Indians to treat coughs. The young twigs are also added to bathwater to promote sleep and relaxation.

Benefits of Using Black Spruce Essential Oil

Black spruce oil has been used for hundreds of years by indigenous groups in northern America. These groups have traveled for miles to be able to collect this precious oil from black spruce trees because of its several medicinal benefits.

Joint and muscle pain

Black spruce essential oil is proven to relieve muscle and joint pains, usually caused by arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscle cramps, and strains. Black spruce oil’s anti-inflammatory property helps reduce inflammation of joints, which also prevents its further wear and tear.

Black spruce essential oil can also repair damages to muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a shorter period of time. It can also prevent scar formation from injuries and surgeries.

Clear the mind

Traditionally, the Lakota tribe used black spruce essential oil in rituals that aim to purify the spirit and relax the mind. In aromatherapy, black spruce is commonly used because of its natural ester content. These natural esters can help balance and relax both the physical and mental state.

Black spruce is also known to have both calming and uplifting effect. This is especially helpful to those who are under high levels of stress and anxiety.

Regular massages using black spruce essential oil blended with sweet orange, lavender oil, and almond oil can help relieve stress and anxiety.

For the respiratory system

Inhaling black spruce essential oil can help open up the airways and ease breathing by decongesting the nasal passageway. It is useful for a number of respiratory problems such as bronchitis, colds, coughs, asthma, and allergies.

It can be used in diffusers, inhalers, through steam inhalation, and added to chest rubs. Black spruce essential oil can be mixed with eucalyptus oil and chamomile oil and added to creams or lotions and can be applied on the chest or back to soothe respiratory discomforts.

For skin care

Black spruce oil’s inflammatory property can help combat skin outbreaks such as acne and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are excellent in treating cuts and wounds and preventing infection. It also helps prevent scar formations from injuries.

Supports the Adrenal gland

Black spruce essential oil improves adrenal gland function, especially during the winter or cold months when people are not getting enough sunlight. This is used to fight off seasonal depression and the feeling of sluggishness. A blend of black spruce, pine essential oil, and hazelnut oil can be regularly applied to the kidney area.

Boosts immune system

Monoterpenes, abundant in black spruce essential oil, are known antioxidants. Antioxidants have the ability to fight free radicals in the body that can cause damages. It supports the immune and is an effective antibacterial and anti-viral whether used topically or diffused.

To soothe the skin

Black spruce essential oil helps prevent infections on wounds or cuts. It can also pacify certain skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It soothes flare-ups that are caused by stress or imbalances in hormones.

Helps balance hormones

Hormonal imbalance can be a serious issue, especially if it affects organ functions. Black spruce oil helps balance hormones which in turn protect both physical and mental health.

Improves sleep

Black spruce’s alpha-pinene content increases non-rapid eye movement sleep. It promotes a deeper and more peaceful sleep. Using it in a diffuser with cedarwood and frankincense helps people fall asleep faster.

For coarse hair

Black spruce essential oil can be used to smoothen out coarse hair. It can especially be used in conditioning the beard.

Safety tips and precautions

Black spruce essential oil is considered safe and nonirritating. Although it is advised to dilute essential oil first in carrier oil before applying it on the skin.

Never use an oxidized black spruce oil as it can cause a mild skin irritation in form of rashes.

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional.

It is unsafe to ingest any type of essential oil. Keep essential oils stored away from pets and children.