What is spruce essential oil?
Spruce essential oil offers the beautiful, woody, crisp aroma of evergreen trees. If you’re looking for a way to connect with nature but haven’t got that trip booked yet, then allow the wonderful aroma of spruce essential oil to fill your space and transport you to a place of tranquility, while reducing stress and gaining some other awesome benefits from this oil.
With its origins in Europe and Eurasia, the Norway spruce has also been cultivated in North America where it thrives. The Norway spruce is a common type of spruce used as a Christmas tree, and its smell is reminiscent of the holidays too! The resin or sap of the Norway spruce has been used for hundreds of years as a salve for skin wounds or infections.
Historically, Native Americans used black spruce for cleansing and purifying rituals, and Northern Lights black spruce is said to carry the electrical frequency imparted by the aurora borealis. You might even say that spruce essential oil is the magic solace you need for a long day. You can choose to apply the oil topically or in a diffuser, but we will unpack this in more detail further on.
Spruce essential oil - quick facts
🌲 Latin name: Picea abies, Picea mariana
🌲 Also known as: Norway spruce, Black spruce
🌲 Country of origin: Europe, North America
🌲 Scent note: Middle-top
🌲 Popular uses: Stress, relaxation, skin healing
How is spruce essential oil made?
Spruce essential oil comes from the needles of the Picea abies or Picea mariana trees and is 100% pure and natural. The oil is produced through a steam distillation process which is one of the most popular extraction methods for essential oils. When the needles of the plant are distilled, the steam vaporizes the plant’s compounds which eventually go through a condensation and collection process.
Benefits of spruce essential oil
Spruce essential oil has a wide range of benefits. Some of the main benefits of spruce oil include:
- 🌲 Grounding
- 🌲 Wake up
- 🌲 Reduce and manage stress
- 🌲 Improve sleep
- 🌲 Boost your immune system
- 🌲 Soothe minor skin irritations
- 🌲 Beard serum
Let's take a look at each of these benefits of spruce oil in more detail.
Grounding with spruce essential oil
If you’re into natural healing and looking for ways to stay grounded, you’ll be happy to know that spruce essential oil is one of the best essential oils to keep your root chakra grounded and balanced.
If you suffer from anxiety, fear or self-doubt, then it’s likely that your root chakra needs a little TLC, so before you inhale the aroma of the spruce oil, you can say some affirmations to keep grounded.
Here’s one to get you started: “I am connected and grounded through the earth.”
Use spruce essential oil to wake up
If you struggle with that snooze button or getting out of bed in general, you might want to give spruce essential oil a little whiff to help you get going in the morning. The oil is revitalizing, refreshing and energizing to the mind and body. Did you know it actually increases your mood-boosting hormones?
If you have a long trip ahead or early drive and need to stay awake, then you can try applying it topically to promote alertness before you climb into the car, or you can use it in a car diffuser.
Reduce and manage stress with spruce essential oil
Spruce essential oil is a powerful way to help you relax. Historically, the Lacota tribe used the oil to purify the spirit and calm the mind. In aromatherapy, spruce oil is used because it has a naturally high ester count. Natural esters are known to help you relax and balance the physical body and mental state.
You can also use spruce oil and blend it with sweet orange essential oil, lavender oil, and almond oil to massage the body to relieve stress and anxiety.
Improve sleep with spruce essential oil
There is nothing worse than tossing and turning when trying to get some shut-eye. Spruce can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and can increase serotonin and dopamine, both of which can positively influence your mood, reduce stress and help you sleep better.
Soothe minor skin irritations with spruce essential oil
Spruce resin has been used for centuries as a salve to heal skin wounds or infections. Like most essential oils, spruce essential oil has antiseptic properties, making it useful for cleansing the skin, killing bacteria and fungi and healing skin wounds.
Boost your immune system with spruce essential oil
Keeping your immune system healthy is essential to your health because when it is weakened, you are more susceptible to catching viruses and becoming ill. Spruce essential oil is rich in monoterpenes which are antioxidants, and antioxidants can weaken certain viruses and support the immune system.
Beard serum with spruce essential oil
A little can go a long way when you use it correctly, and if one thing is for certain, your beard will thank you for the TLC. Spruce essential oil is a natural conditioner and can soften coarse hair.
If you’re not a man and your man isn’t reading over your shoulder with you, then you can always treat him to a DIY spruce oil treatment combined with a carrier oil. His beard will look and smell amazing, and you will both benefit from the woodsy aroma that fills the air and puts you both in a calm frame of mind. It’s a win-win for all.
How to use spruce essential oil
Spruce essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose.
Here are some of the most common ways to use spruce essential oil:
- 🌲 Aromatherapy massage
- 🌲 Diffuser
- 🌲 Inhalation
- 🌲 Bath
Let’s take a look at each of these uses of spruce essential oil in more detail.
Aromatherapy massage with spruce essential oil
An aromatherapy massage is a popular multi-purpose way of using essential oil for healthcare benefits, both mental and physical.
Using spruce essential oil in a massage will enhance your mental state and bring balance to the mind and body because the oil embodies natural esters.
Diffuse spruce essential oil
If you can’t get to nature, let nature come to you by adding some spruce essential oil drops to your diffuser and let the woodsy aroma fill your space and get to work.
Using spruce oil in a diffuser is a great way to transform your space, calm your mind, ground yourself, and help you get that outdoorsy feeling when you can’t get there in person.
Inhale spruce essential oil
Inhaling spruce essential oil is an alternative to using it in a diffuser or in aromatherapy massage. If you’re in a rush, you can rub two drops of the oil between your palms and cup your hands over your mouth and nose, take a few deep breaths to activate the oil, and you will start to feel the benefits of its woody aroma in no time.
This is a great way to get spruce’s grounding and calming benefits in a hurry or when you’re out and about.
Bathe with spruce essential oil
Sometimes, there’s nothing like a nice warm bath after a long day to soothe the mind, and spruce essential oil is just the thing you’re going to want to add to your bath water.
A few drops of the oil will work wonders, calm the mind, rejuvenate the skin, and help you sleep better. Plus, there’s the added benefit of enjoying the earthy, evergreen aroma of the oil that will make you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle and slipped away to a bath in the middle of the words.
Spruce essential oil research
While spruce salve has been used for centuries for skin and nail health, research on spruce essential oil, which is derived from the needles, is limited. The compounds α-pinene and β-pinene have been discussed as a “miracle gift from nature”, having powerful antimicrobial activity, potential solutions to antibiotic resistance, antioxidant and cellular protective potential, neuroprotective activity, anti-inflammatory activity and anticoagulant activity.
Here are some of the most notable studies on spruce.
Antibacterial effects of spruce essential oil - 2019, 2021
A recent study examined the antibacterial effects of spruce essential oil among several other conifer essential oils and found that Picea abies had powerful antibacterial effects as well as antioxidant effects.
Another study from 2019 also demonstrated spruce essential oil’s ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria.
Another study cited research on Picea abies and the contents of the oil derived from its needles and how it can vary throughout the year. Major components of spruce essential oil are α-pinene and β-pinene, both of which have been shown to have antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (a major cause of skin infections) and E. coli, Candida yeast and various fungi that often cause skin and nail fungus.
Mood benefits of spruce - 2010, 2016
A drug made with spruce extract has been shown in mice models of Alzheimer’s to have anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects on their behavior. A follow-up study found that it accomplished this by boosting serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
Side effects of spruce essential oil
- 🌲 Redness
- 🌲 Hives
- 🌲 Itchiness
- 🌲 Dry skin
Spruce essential oil is safe and non-irritating to use when it is fresh. However, if the oil is older, then it could irritate the skin. It is recommended to keep the oil in the fridge where it can then be used for up to a year from purchase/opening.
It is important to note that if you are allergic to pine trees, then it is best to avoid using spruce essential oil as this may cause mild to severe skin reactions. If you have an allergy, consult with your doctor before you decide to add the oil to your lifestyle.
Always do a patch test before using essential oils topically to check for irritation and sensitivities. And always dilute it with carrier oil for topical use to reduce the risk of irritation.
Contraindications of spruce essential oil
Do not consume any essential oil and avoid applying undiluted oils to the skin.
Where to buy spruce essential oil
Spruce essential oil is widely available online and in stores. When purchasing spruce essential oil, be sure to look for a 100% pure essential oil - not an extract. This ensures that you're getting an authentic product with all the therapeutic benefits of spruce essential oil. If it’s organic, even better!
Here are some of the places where you can purchase spruce essential oil.
Volant
At Volant, all our essential oils are produced using only the highest-quality plants, which are harvested and distilled with the utmost care. You can rest assured that when you purchase spruce essential oil from volant, you'll receive 100% pure and organic essential oil with no additives or synthetic ingredients. This ensures that you receive the greatest possible benefit from your spruce essential oil.
Amazon
Amazon is a popular place to shop for essential oils. It's important to note that Amazon is a marketplace rather than a store, so there are many different businesses selling essential oils through Amazon. For this reason, we'd recommend checking the ingredients and reviews of any essential oil that you choose to purchase through Amazon, as not all essential oils sold on the platform are pure, organic and trusted.
Pharmacies
If you prefer in-person shopping and holding the product in your hand to get a better idea of what you’re buying, then you may find that your local pharmacies and homeopathic stores will have what you’re looking for. Always check that the oil you're buying is an essential oil rather than an extract and that it is 100% pure.
doTERRA
doTERRA is a company that manufactures organic essential oils, including black spruce essential oil. If you’re looking for a 100% pure spruce oil for your beauty routine, to soothe irritated skin or help you de-stress, then get your hands on a spruce essential oil from doTERRA.
Spruce essential oil FAQs
What is spruce essential oil used for?
Spruce essential oil is often used during meditation practices as it is believed to help develop intuition and connectedness and bring balance. It is also believed to bring inspiration, a deepened spiritual sense and strengthen trust. It is also used for relaxation, to de-stress and for skin health.
What scent goes well with spruce essential oil?
Spruce essential oil blends well with several essential oils. Its earthy, evergreen scent mixes beautifully with oils such as: agarwood, bergamot, most citrus oils, black currant, cedarwood, citronella, fir, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lemon, oakmoss and patchouli.
Is spruce essential oil good for the skin?
It is known that spruce essential oil is useful for soothing the skin, to help calm skin outbreaks that are caused by stress or hormonal imbalances, and to help heal skin wounds or infections.
What oil is similar to spruce essential oil?
Spruce essential oil is a conifer oil which comes from the needles and twigs of the Picea abies. A conifer is mostly an evergreen tree and usually has needle-like leaves. The most similar essential oil to spruce would be Siberian Fir as their chemistry and therapeutic benefits are very similar.
In summary
If you’re looking for a little balance in your life, then spruce essential oil is going to be your go-to. Keep it handy in your bag for a little sniff to keep you awake, refreshed and ready to tackle the day. If you’ve had a long day and need to wind down, add a few drops to your bath water and allow the aroma to take your mind somewhere more tranquil.
We’re here to help if you have any questions about spruce essential oil. You can contact our support team at support@volantaroma.com and we will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have.
