Balsam fir oil, distilled in the pristine Northern part of Idaho, just 25 miles South of the Canadian border, could be the most healing fir tree essential oil around.
Botanical Family: Pinaceae (pine)
Plant Origin: Idaho, Young Living Farm
Extraction Method: distilled from pine needles and branches.
Therapeutic grade balsam fir oil contains 28-49% Alpha-Pinene, 14-24% Beta-Pinene, 13-20% Camphene and 13-20% Limonene which combine to make this a highly anti-inflammatory oil.
Did you know that Limonene (which is a monoterpene) has been studied as an anti-cancer ingredient?
"monoterpenes would appear to act through multiple mechanisms in the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of cancer." (Prevention and Therapy of cancer by dietary Monoterpenes, Pamela L. Crowell. Journal of Nutrition 1999;129:775-778)
Fragrant influence: The fragrance of balsam fir which we all know as the common christmas tree, is very grounding (think of tree trunks rooted firmly in the earth), stimulating to the mind and relaxing to the body.
Uses: Because of its highly anti-inflammatory properties Idaho balsam fir is a great oil for arthritis and muscle pains. Throughout history it has been used for respiratory conditions.
Do you have redness and swelling anywhere in the body? Apply a few drops of fir on location and follow with a compress.
Application: Dilute 1 drop of balsam fir to 1 drop of base oil and apply to location. Inhale from cupped hands or use in a electric essential oil diffuser. Take as a dietary supplement - I just placed a drop directly under the tongue, tastes quite refreshing.
We want to give you an idea of what it really takes to get a balsam fir tree off the land, into a distiller and finally into your essential oil bottle. All without losing any of its fantastic healing abilities and natural components. Check out the winter harvest in Idaho last year:
Over the past years Gary Young, founder of Young Living Essential Oils has been spotted driving the big rigs and heavy farm equipment himself.
He studied the production of fir oil every month of the year and found that the winter months, during freezing temperatures was the absolute best time to harvest.
Only during the coldest time of year do fir needles contain maximum amounts of essential oil. This stops the needles from freezing in subzero temperatures.
The quality and amounts of balsam fir oil produced decrease dramatically as air temperature rises.
During the harvest of January 2010 the weather in Northern Idaho, 25 miles South of the Canadian border was unseasonably warm. As temperatures were heading to 40 degrees at the end of the month it was decided harvest season was over. Four weeks of hard work to produce oil for the remainder of the year.
It was still a good year for balsam fir oil. Last year 335 gallons of essential oil were distilled. This year 500 gallons of oil are coming your way! That's a lot of balsam fir! And I can really use it. I know you can too.
Add Idaho balsam fir oil to your basic collection of essential oils especially if you are dealing with cancer. It should be right there on the shelf next to your frankincense. That's how powerful this essential oil really is.
Botanical Family: Pinaceae (pine)
Add Idaho balsam fir oil to your basic collection of essential oils especially if you are dealing with cancer. It should be right there on the shelf next to your frankincense. That's how powerful this essential oil really is. 
