The power of pine essential oil and why you need it in your life!

by Kelli Tudisco January 14, 2021

Let’s talk about the antioxidant and antibacterial powerhouse that grows in abundance and is hidden in plain sight, pine needle essential oil! When we think of pine oil, we think of words like fresh, invigorating, woodsy, clean. All of these attributes are just the beginning of the wonder of pine.

Where can we even begin to cover the many uses and scientifically proven benefits of using pine EO in your home?! Let’s start by acknowledging how far back in history this oil has been used and revered.

It is known that ancient Greek civilizations, even Hippocrates, used pine oil in therapeutic practices such as pain reduction, stress relief, and cleansing. While this oil is still widely used in therapeutic settings by chiropractors, holistic healers, massage therapists and aromatherapists, we believe that the overwhelming amount of scientific and clinical studies suggest we should be getting this renewable source of health and healing into the hands and homes of everyone!

The major science-based benefits of using pine oil are the proven anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-microbial activities in the major chemical constituents that make up more than 90% of pine oil What does this mean? Pine oil can aid in fighting disease, including cancerous tumor growth, as well as killing bacteria strains. This is especially important now that so many strains of bacteria are becoming more and more resistant to pharmaceutical anti-biotics.

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory benefits of pine, using pine EO topically can help with body aches and pain, arthritis pain, sore muscles, and headaches! Adding pine essential oil to your moisturizer or body oil can also help aid and healing wounds and burns and reducing swelling in irritated skin.

A study of breast cancer cells recently revealed clear evidence that the use of pine, frankincense, and geranium essential oils quickly suppress the progression of cancerous breast tumors. (1)

In another study, pine needle essential oil showed remarkable antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals, in lipid peroxidation, and in reducing power assays. Moreover, the essential oil revealed strong antimicrobial activity against typical food-borne microorganisms (2)

Health and wellness are not the only proven benefits of using pine EO in your home. Did you know that using pine essential oil where you do not want rodents or pests can actually deter them in a humane and non-deadly way? A lab trial was conducted that concluded certain small animals and pests stayed away from areas that were scented with pine! (3)

What does this mean for every day use of pine oil to keep you healthy and keep your home clean? Here is a list of possible uses for you to start implementing the powerful benefits of pine today!

Use as an air freshener and purifier by diffusing once a day to kill odor causing airborne bacteria.
Freshen and naturally purify couches and upholstery by mixing 8 ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle with 10 drops of pine oil, spray onto couches, curtains, carpets, etc.
Use as an all-purpose house cleaner for countertops, floors, cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures and more.
Mix with baking soda to form a paste. Use as a deep cleaner for pots and pans, stovetops, mold, and stains.
Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 10-15 drops of pine oil to deep clean floors. Mop into wood surfaces before rinsing.
Mix with vinegar for a streak free glass cleaner.
Infuse baking powder with pine oil and sprinkle it on carpets. Let rest for 15 minutes before vacuuming.
Keep your garbage bin smelling fresh by putting 4 drops of pine oil on a cotton ball and placing it at the bottom of the bin.
Place a couple drops of pine oil in the soles of athletic shoes to keep them smelling fresh.
Mix pine oil with a body oil of your choice (we recommend fractionated coconut oil) and rub on your chest when you have a cold, or on any sore muscles or painful areas of the body.
Use a pine oil body salve like the one from @HonestHerb which uses our Fresh Cut Pine and Peppermint oil. Rub on your temples to soothe headaches, back of neck for tension relief, or anywhere that you’re experiencing muscle tension.
Due to the antibacterial and antifungal properties, pine oil works well for a variety of skin conditions like acne, warts, eczema, etc.
Mix with your shampoo and conditioner for a natural anti-dandruff remedy.
Apply topically as well as diffuse into the air for allergy relief.
Spray mattresses and bedding with a pine oil and water mixture.

The list of possible uses can go on and on! As more science becomes available we can see how powerful this oil can be for everyone an encourage you to integrate it into your daily life! Let us know your favorite way to use pine EO!

Sources:

Ren P, Ren X, Cheng L, Xu L. Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppress tumor progression through the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in breast cancer. Oncol Rep. 2018 Jan;39(1):129-137. doi: 10.3892/or.2017.6067. Epub 2017 Nov 1. PMID: 29115548; PMCID: PMC5783593. -------- In the present study, we clearly revealed that frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion in human BC MCF-7 cells. Further data demonstrated that frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils induced apoptosis
Zeng WC, Zhang Z, Gao H, Jia LR, He Q. Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from pine needle (Cedrus deodara). J Food Sci. 2012 Jul;77(7):C824-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02767.x. PMID: 22757704.
Epple G, Niblick H, Lewis S, Dale Nolte L, Campbell DL, Mason JR. Pine needle oil causes avoidance behaviors in pocket gopherGeomys bursarius. J Chem Ecol. 1996 May;22(5):1013-25. doi: 10.1007/BF02029951. PMID: 24227621.