Black Spruce – Organic

Black spruce essential oil increases energy metabolism and stimulates the body, it is a general tonic, an anti-asthenia ++++

PHYSICAL

• Circulatory system: cardiac antispasmodic, tonic of the lymphatic system.
• Skin system: anti-inflammatory at the initial stage, brings sedation, relaxation and soothing, antibacterial. Dry acne and eczema, purulent acne, scabies, cutaneous parasitosis
• Digestive system: appetite stimulant, digestive, eupeptic affect, stomachic, intestinal antispasmodic with analgesic action, antifungal, relax solar plexus knots. Systemic yeast infections (candida), anti-parasite (Giardia lambia, hookworms)
• Endocrine system: mimetic cortisone (hypophyso-cortico-adrenal axis and pituitary-ovarian axis) Hot flashes, fatigue of the adrenal glands, asthenia.
• Immune system: aerial antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, adrenal gland tonic. Hyperthyroidism, immunodeficiency.
• Respiratory system: bronchial antispasmodic, pulmonary decongestant, antioxidant, bronchial anti-inflammatory, mycobacterium of tuberculosis, antitussive and expectorant. Bronchitis, cold, sinusitis, cough, asthma.
• Nervous system: relaxing, neurotonic, regulates serotonin (the happiness hormone). Promotes sleep and calms chronic pain.
• Osteo-articular system: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, decongestant. Arthrosis, muscular rheumatism, fibromyalgia.
• Genitourinary system: spasmolytic for knotted pelvic and sacral plexus, inflammatory prostatitis.

PSYCHIC

Releases serotonin: this has the effect of acting as a natural antidepressant, increasing the feeling of well-being and inner calm and increasing empathy.
Psycho-tonic anxiolytic

REFERENCES

• Festy Danièle, Ma bible des huiles essentielles, Guide complet d’aromathérapie, Montréal, Éditions Caractère, 2009.
• Site officiel : Ressources naturelles Canada.
• Franchomme, P., Jollois, R,. Pénoël, D., L’aromathérapie exactement, Encyclopédie de l’utilisation thérapeutique des huiles essentielles, fondements, démonstration, illustration et applications d’une science médicale naturelle, Bayeux, Éditions Roger Jollois, 2001. Hydrosols : The Next Aromatherapy, 2001.
• http://www.wikiphyto.org
• Frère Marie-Victorin, Rouleau Ernest, Brouillet Luc et collaborateurs, Flore laurentienne 3^e édition, Gaëtan Morin Éditeur ltée, 2002.
• Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 1998.
• Mathieu Jacques, L’annedda, l’arbre de vie, Québec, Les Éditions du Septentrion, Les cahiers du Septentrion, 2009.
• Werner Monica, Von Braunschweig Ruth, L’Aromathérapie, Principes, Indications, Utilisations, Paris, 2007.
• Baudoux Dominique, L’Aromathérapie, Se soigner par les huiles essentielles, Bruxelles, Edition Amyris, Douce Alternative.
• Schafer, D. and W. Schafer (1981). “Pharmacological studies with an ointment containing menthol, camphene and essential oils for broncholytical and secretolytical effects.” Arzneimittel-Forschung/Drug Research 31(1): 82-86.

CANADA, NORTH OF QUEBEC PROVINCE

A LONG TRIP TO BLACK SPRUCE IN BOREAL FOREST

To reach the Black Spruce in Boreal Forest, where it is distilled, the tourist might say that it is as far as going to SAINT-FAR-AWAY-OF-SO-FAR NORTH!

Black Spruce is a majestic conifer ranging in height from of 8 to 25 meters. These trees look after our Canadian forests from coast to coast, because this conifer grows where other species cannot grow. Favoring moist, sandy or peaty soils, this tree covers North America mainly from Canada’s Far North to the edge of the low Arctic tundra, as well as the northeastern United States. Its twigs are rough and its frayed bark is reddish brown when young and darker when mature. Its greyish-green needles are straight and tight along its branches. Its fruit is a small purple cone that changes to light brown. Of the forty varieties of spruce, it is the most resistant to very cold climates. It can withstand up to -60 degree Celsius temperatures according to some studies. Without its biggest enemy, which is fire, this tree could live up to 280 years.

Native people have been using many medicinal plants from the boreal forest for thousands of years for healing purposes. This knowledge is generally held as a form of oral tradition. Cree from the woodlands used Black Spruce as an anti-diarrheal medication by making infusions from the cones. At other times the needles and cones were used to treat diabetes. For burns, they made balms from Black Spruce resin and chewed on cones to relieve toothache.

The Montagnais First Nations from the Quebec Province used Black Spruce to prepare infusions against sore throats and to cure coughs. Native American children chewed the resin to improve the whiteness of their teeth. They attributed to Black Spruce powerful properties against scurvy. Used mainly to build settlers’ homes, the tree was also used to brew spruce beer made from: needles, cones and molasses. Under the pretext of preventing scurvy, this drink flowed freely in the evenings with the clergyand on board ships!

In 1772, the English physician, Henry Taylor, discovered a method to extract the essential oil from the spruce and recommended it for respiratory diseases. Dr. Taylor is also the founder of the first distillery in Québec City.