Abies balsamea, from which Fir Balsam essentialoil is obtained is a North American fir, native to most of eastern and central Canada (Newfoundland west to central British Columbia) and the northeastern United States (Minnesota east to Maine, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to West Virginia).
The Balsam fir is a small to medium-size evergreen conifer which can grow up to 20 metres in height with a narrow conic crown. The bark on young trees is smooth, grey, and with resin blisters (which tend to spray when ruptured), becoming rough and fissured or scaly on old trees.
The leaves are flat and needle-like, 15 to 30 mm long, dark green above often with a small patch of stomata near the tip, and two white stomatal bands below, and a slightly notched tip. They are arranged spirally on the shoot, but with the leaf bases twisted so that the leaves appear to be in two more-or-less horizontal rows on either side of the shoot. The seed cones are erect, 40 to 80 mm long, dark purple, ripening brown and disintegrating to release the winged seeds in September.
Reported Attributes of Fir Balsam Essential Oil:-
Traditional and Emotional uses reportedly include:-
This is a much sought after but much rarer oil than Siberian, Silver or Grand Fir and is used to bring out masculine, attributes to mens fragrances, bath preparations, air fresheners, herbal, moss, soaps, and shaving creams. Fir needle is reported to help with arthritis, bronchitis, colds, coughs, flu, muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis and, of course, aromatically is very evocative.
Fir Balsam Essential Oil Blends Well With:-
Cedar Leaf, all Citrus oils, Galangal, Galbanum, Geranium, Ginger, Juniper Berry & Leaf, Labdanum, Laurel Berry & Leaf, Lavandin all the Lavenders.
Cautions:-
May cause skin irritation in some individuals if used in high concentrations.
