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It is not difficult to make fir oil with your own hands at home. The natural remedy saves you from many problems - cuts, burns, insect bites, so there are people who want to have it on hand. In some cases, it can have an analgesic effect. But when using it for the first time, it is important to learn about contraindications. One of them is allergic reactions to components.
What does fir oil look like?
The resulting product is stored only in glass containers
Fir oil is often used in folk and traditional medicine, as well as cosmetology. The product has a lot of useful properties, which is why it is so popular. However, safe use requires a high-quality product containing natural ingredients. Because of this, many people prefer to make fir oil at home, despite the fact that this is a rather labor-intensive process that requires compliance with rules.
A quality product has certain properties: color, smell and composition. Any deviation from the norm indicates a violation of the preparation technology, stale raw materials, and this significantly reduces its effectiveness and, in some cases, can harm the body.
Composition of fir oil
The beneficial qualities of the product are due to the elements it contains:
- ascorbic acid;
- tocopherol;
- tannins;
- provitamin A (carotene);
- pinenes (part of the resins of coniferous trees);
- cineole (eucalyptol);
- aldehydes;
- phytoncides;
- camphor;
- oleic and lauric acids.
Of the macro and microelements, it contains iron, copper, manganese, and cobalt.
Thanks to its rich composition, the product has established itself as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral drug and is a good antioxidant. The oil has a positive effect on the skin, providing an antibacterial and disinfectant effect.
The smell and color of fir oil
Fir oil is a liquid that can be colorless or have a yellowish, greenish tint. A dark color indicates a low-quality or spoiled product. The smell is rich, pine, with notes of lemon and mint. The consistency of the product is also important.It has the property of being quickly absorbed and has fluidity. When purchasing or after preparing it at home, you can check its quality by conducting a test. A little oil should be applied to the paper. If after 10-15 minutes a greasy stain is noticeable on the surface, then the product is not of high quality and natural.
Does fir oil freeze in the cold?
Like all other oils, it is frozen. Thus, by lowering the temperature, you can detect crystallization of some components in the bottle. This happens when their concentration goes beyond the saturation point.
The easiest way to prepare it is by cold pressing.
Types of fir oil
If we talk about fir oil, which is produced on an industrial scale, there are 3 varieties. Their difference is in what type of fir wood was used in preparation:
- white fir – has a rich woody aroma;
- Siberian fir – fresh forest smell;
- balsam fir is a very mild herbal aroma.
The main differences lie in the aroma; the main thing for the raw materials is that they grow in an environmentally friendly place, far from industrial facilities.
How fir oil is made industrially
Fir oil is a valuable resource. In its production, high-quality raw materials and special equipment are used. The best time to harvest it is from May to September. It is during this period that the needles are maximally saturated with useful substances.
Fir oil is extracted from the paws, which are no more than 30 cm in length and 8 mm in width.The equipment used is a container (vat) with a grate at the bottom, a grinder that speeds up the production process, a steam generator, as well as a cooling apparatus and filter. Fir oil is distilled for no more than 15 hours. In this case, to obtain 1 liter of product you will need 100 kg of pine paws and 50 kg of steam.
How to make fir oil at home
Making fir oil at home is a rather labor-intensive process, but for connoisseurs of a natural product, it is enough to follow some cooking rules and select good raw materials. It will be easier to prepare the liquid in the future. However, you need to keep in mind that during the process the room will be filled with vapors with a strong pine aroma, which can trigger an asthma attack in allergy sufferers and headaches, especially in children and the elderly.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
Young trees up to 2 m tall are suitable for harvesting raw materials.
It is known that the optimal time for procurement of raw materials is from May to September inclusive. Moreover, in the spring it is better to collect young shoots and cones, as well as buds. In August and September it is time to remove the needles. The main condition is that the trees must be located as far as possible from the railway, highway, and hazardous industries. After collecting the raw materials for 1-2 months, it will retain all its beneficial properties.
You need to choose a plant no higher than 2 m in height, which grows in a sunny place and has a healthy appearance. This means a complete absence of signs of dryness, rotting, as well as pests and moss. You can collect pine needles, buds, young green cones, and bark.The branches should be no more than 10 mm in diameter.
How to make fir oil from buds and shoots by infusion
This option for preparing fir oil is called cold pressing. Cut the raw materials and fill the glass jar 70%, compact it and add oil to the volume. Close with a tight lid. Leave for about 3 weeks in a dark and cool place (not in the refrigerator). The jar needs to be shaken periodically. After 3 weeks, squeeze the resulting mass through cheesecloth and pour into a dark bottle.
How to make fir oil from pine needles in a water bath
For this cooking method, you will need to cut the raw material into 1-2 cm pieces and pour it into a glass jar so that 4-5 cm remains to the edge. Pour vegetable oil over the pine needles, close the lid and place in a water bath for 5 hours. In this case, you need to monitor the water level in the container on the stove, periodically adding hot water. After the contents of the jar have cooled, the plant material must be drained and squeezed. Next, load a new portion and fill with strained oil. Leave in the water bath again for 5 hours. After this, strain again and bottle.
The product can be purchased if you do not want to cook it yourself. However, there is a high probability of buying a fake. It is recommended to use trusted manufacturers.
How to prepare fir oil in the oven
For raw materials, you can use not only branches, but also young cones and buds
Grind the raw materials, put them in a glass container, filling it 80%, add vegetable oil. Wrap the top with foil and make holes. Heat the oven to 150 °C and leave the jar for 2 hours. Then reduce the temperature to 60 °C and simmer for about 10 hours. Cool the contents of the container and strain, add a new portion of pine needles.The process must be repeated 2 more times. Pour the resulting oil into bottles.
How to make fir oil using a combined method
The technology for preparing fir oil at home using the infusion method is quite simple. Young buds and shoots will be required. Raw materials should be collected in May, when intensive plant growth begins. The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- Grind the raw materials. Cut the buds into 2 parts, the shoots into 3.
- Fill liter jars with raw materials up to the hangers and pour heated refined oil. Cover the top with a lid.
- The jars should be left for 40 days in a dark place.
- Strain the mixture, squeeze and heat again to 50 °C.
- After cooling, pour into bottles.
The combined method consists of alternating several processes - heating and infusion.
How to make fir oil smell
When producing fir oil at home, the aroma of the natural product is preserved. Properly made oil smells good. However, over time the aroma becomes weaker. This is due to the fact that some of the aromatic substances evaporate. To prevent this from happening, you should store the resulting product in a dark, cool place, only in a glass container with a tight lid.
Where is fir oil used?
Fir oil has long been known for its beneficial qualities. It is widely used in medicine and cosmetology, since this product is considered natural. It has the following properties:
- antiseptic;
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory;
- painkillers;
- tonic;
- calming.
Bath lovers use the product for preventive purposes
Fir oil is especially often used for preventive and therapeutic purposes against respiratory diseases, influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis, and bronchial asthma. It has a soothing, expectorant effect, relieves inflammation and irritation. The composition includes such useful components as phytoncides, as well as a group of vitamins that have a general strengthening effect on the body. A good effect is noticeable in cases of hypothermia and frostbite of the skin.
In the treatment of various types of neuralgia and arthrosis, fir oil is indicated as an additional means of therapy, since it has an analgesic effect and actively fights swelling. In addition, it has proven itself as a means of influencing the central nervous system. Helps cope with stress, neurotic disorders, chronic fatigue. It has been noted that it helps eliminate insomnia.
It can be used only for external purposes, adding to baths, using in compresses, inhalations. Among other things, the product is quite effective for aromatizing and disinfecting a room.
In cosmetology, the drug is used to solve some skin problems in the acute stage. These include the treatment of boils, ulcers, acne and edema. The product is considered effective for combating wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and decreased turgor. Due to the content of vitamins and minerals, it refreshes the face and body and significantly rejuvenates.
Like any product, it has a number of contraindications:
- childhood;
- bronchial asthma;
- tendency to allergic manifestations;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- epilepsy;
- diseases of the urinary system.
In addition, people with individual intolerance to some components in the composition, pregnant and lactating women should not use the product.
If undesirable consequences arise during use, it is recommended to quickly ventilate the room, wash it off the surface of the skin, and rinse the eyes with running water if it gets on the mucous membranes. It is important not to combine with alcoholic beverages, do a test on the elbow and not exceed the recommended dosage.
What is fir oil used for at home?
A fir bath broom in combination with pine needle extract is the best remedy for many diseases
The product is so useful that the scope of application is not limited only to human health. It is very functional and widely used in everyday life. Fir has a very pronounced aroma, so its oil is often used to repel insects, as well as to relieve itching after their bite.
Essential vapors disinfect the room well, destroying fungi and bacteria, in addition, and unwanted odors. It is successfully used in educational and medical institutions as a harmless air purifier.
How to use fir oil in a bath
It is known that there are a huge number of true bath lovers. They are not limited to the usual procedure. For greater effect, many people use oils. After visiting the bathhouse, your mood and performance improve, fatigue disappears, and your body becomes more energetic.The secret of using oils in baths is that, being volatile substances, the molecules penetrate the body much faster under the influence of temperature and humidity. At the same time, the pores on the skin open up much better, toxins and impurities come out, and the beneficial substances in the composition are actively absorbed.
Fir oil is considered one of the first to be used in aromatherapy. In the bath it is used as follows:
- drop a little oil into a ladle of water and sprinkle it on the stones, and then inhale the aroma deeply through the nose;
- body massage with a fir broom;
- foot bath.
Any of these procedures will help strengthen the immune system, give a boost of energy, protect against respiratory diseases, and tone the skin.
Making soap with fir oil
Real pine soap is difficult to buy in a regular store, but you can make it yourself. If it is possible to cook fir oil at home, then it can be used in the preparation of other products. Then the product will be completely natural and environmentally friendly.
You can make your own fir soap by adding a couple of drops of oil to the soap base.
In a specialized store you need to buy a soap base, a mold, alcohol, and fir essential oil. Melt the base, add a few drops of oil, mix thoroughly, and pour. Sprinkle alcohol on top and then leave to cool. If during the preparation process you add powdered pine needles to the mixture, the soap will have an exfoliating effect.
Is it possible to drip fir oil onto an artificial Christmas tree?
To give an artificial Christmas tree a real forest aroma, use the following trick.Pour clean water into a spray bottle and add 2-3 drops of cinnamon, orange and fir oils. Shake the mixture well and sprinkle on the artificial Christmas tree. The aroma is quite intense, so it is important not to overdo it.
As a repellent for insects and rodents
Rodents and insects are very difficult to tolerate the smell of fir, so you can fight them with this product. Against mosquitoes and midges, it can be applied in its pure form, especially outdoors. Parasites are attracted by body odor, and the aroma of fir repels them. Oil is often used when cleaning the house by adding it to water. By wiping surfaces with this solution, you can protect your home from the invasion of winged insects and cockroaches for a long time.
To get rid of rats and mice, you can use a composition of any vegetable oil with drops of fir product. Moisten cotton swabs with this mixture and place them in areas where rodents appear. After a certain time, the “guests” will stop visiting.
Fir oil for room aromatization
Fir oil is often used as a fragrance when added to a humidifier. You can make a similar natural spray yourself. It will provide not only a pleasant aroma in the room, but also health, good mood, and vigor. To do this, you can drop a few drops into a spray bottle, mix, and then periodically spray the room.
How to check fir oil for quality
A high-quality product has a subtle pine aroma
The following signs will indicate high quality:
- smell;
- appearance;
- structure and density.
There are several ways to check fir oil for quality. Pour a small amount into a glass container and shake lightly. At room temperature it should be free of impurities and turbidity. Only a small amount of sediment is acceptable, but as the temperature rises, the oil should become clear again.
You can drop a few drops onto a clean cloth. The smell should be pleasant and light, not irritating to the sense of smell. Over time, the aroma evaporates and becomes even less noticeable. If flavorings are added, the smell is quite intense and does not fade away quickly.
How can you replace fir oil?
Other pine oils have similar properties. For example, spruce, pine, cedar and juniper. They have differences in composition and properties, but in general they can be used instead of fir. All coniferous tree species are ether bearers. Oils from them are obtained by evaporating shoots, buds, and young bark. They are used in medicine, cosmetology and in everyday life.
Where and how to store fir oil
After preparation, it must be poured into a glass container, preferably dark-colored glass. It is necessary to select a sealed lid for this container so that the esters do not evaporate. It should only be stored in a dark, cool place. A refrigerator will do just fine. Under proper storage conditions, it will not lose its properties for 2 years.
Conclusion
It is very easy to make fir oil with your own hands at home, especially using the cold-press method. Other methods are more labor-intensive. However, the effort is worth it - the product turns out to be of high quality and natural without foreign impurities. It is suitable for the treatment of various diseases and as a prophylactic agent.In addition, many find it effective in solving some everyday problems.
