Adorned with twinkling lights and colorful ornaments, there’s something so spectacularly special about a Christmas tree. Whether they tower high alongside big-city skyscrapers or stay low to the ground with scant needles and flimsy branches, they hold a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. So with Christmas right around the corner, we thought we’d take a look at some of our favorite evergreen essential oils. Because not only do these conifers provide stellar holiday decoration, but their oils are amazing to experience.
Balsam Fir
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) is a stunning cold-weather evergreen native to the northern United States and Canada. Its deep green color and slightly spicy aroma have made it a favorite to bring home and decorate for the holidays. The essential oil that Balsam Fir produces evokes the feeling of strolling through a lush Christmas tree farm with its fresh, woodsy scent. The essential oil is known to help alleviate lingering coughs and respiratory discomfort and has soothing benefits to support muscle relaxation when diluted and applied topically.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I love this for fresh smelling blends, balsam fir is crisp and smells like I’m walking through a forest!” – Selena
Black Spruce
Black Spruce (Picea mariana) is a hardy, dense evergreen that often (but not always) grows in wetlands. Its resiliency allows it to thrive in low-nutrient environments, such as bogs, but can also be found high on Adirondack alpine summits, growing alongside other arctic plants. So what better way to celebrate the season and jump-start your new year than with a tree that proves its strength, no matter the conditions? Enjoy the earthy and woodsy coniferous aroma of Black Spruce’s essential oil to help energize and stimulate your senses, while also providing the familiar respiratory relief you know and love from evergreen essential oils.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is fresh and wonderful for respiratory issues or a stuffy room. Not as cloying as fir, not as smoky as cedar, this one is perfect for me.” – Robb
Cypress
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) loves the warm Mediterranean sunshine and can be found dotting meticulous garden landscapes throughout the Italian countryside. Its columnar form stands straight, tall, and proud, like an exclamation point reaching toward the clouds. These magnificent evergreens are also believed to have a potential lifespan of around 1,000 years! Cypress Essential Oil is steam distilled from the needles of the tree and provides a clean, herbaceous and spicy aroma. It’s known for its respiratory supporting properties, especially during times of seasonal illness. Emotionally, the scent is quite soothing and may provide comfort during times of sadness and grief.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Like the aroma of pine woods after rain, refreshing, crisp and sweet woodsy scent.” – Ann
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) flourishes in the coastal regions of western North America, from British Columbia to central California. You can find them abound throughout the Pacific Northwest as they provide both valuable timber and critical habitat for forest critters. The essential oil produced from Douglas Fir has a lovely piney-fresh scent with unique sweet and citrusy notes. The aroma will pair perfectly with your Christmas decorations by adding a delightful, crisp winter-forest feel. Stimulating to the senses and great for respiratory support, Douglas Fir is a quintessential tree oil you’ll be able to enjoy all year round.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This oil immediately transports me into a forest. It also reminds me of Christmas time dying my childhood. Love it!” – Natalie
Fir Needle
Fir Needle (Abies sibirica), also known as Siberian Fir, is native to the tundra and boreal forests of Siberia and northern China. These make popular Christmas trees throughout Europe thanks to their beauty and natural sweet-camphoraceous, balsamic scent. Amazingly, this shade-tolerant, frost-resistant, and hardy evergreen can survive in temperatures down to -58° Fahrenheit (-50° Celsius)! From the flattened, fragrant, dark green needles comes an essential oil with an uplifting forest-fresh scent. It can help to keep airways clear and ease occasional congested breathing resulting from pesky seasonal allergies.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is one of my favs, brilliant smell. I like to smell like a cabin in the pines everyday.” – Nate
Christmas Tree Essential Oil Blend
Not sure which evergreen oil to choose for your holiday festivities? Never fear – we’ve expertly blended together Black Spruce and Fir Needle so that you can easily experience the fresh, sweet, and woodsy scent of a luscious forest right in your own home! Try this DIY Scented Ornament craft for a new way to bring a bit of Christmas Tree into your holiday fun.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Christmas tree, make sure to wrap up in your favorite blanket, pour yourself a hot and tasty drink, and cozy up next to the fireplace with this captivating article, courtesy of History.com.