Pine oil: a happy rediscovery
I have been sorting through my cupboards and today I stumbled upon a very old bottle of pine essential oil. I opened it and inspite of the best before saying March 2003 it still had the most glorious fresh, zesty and uplifting aroma. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply…… it took me right back at least 48 years….. Bathtime at my grandparents house.
My grandmother always had this large glass bottle of dark green pine bath essence sitting in the bathroom, I forget the make. A fantastic bottle with deep vertical ridges all the way up the sides and a reassuring gold coloured lid screwed on the top. As a small amount was poured under the spouting taps, it swirled into ever decreasing shades of green and filled the bathroom with a heady aroma of Pine needles. Those bath times seemed to last an eternity, no rush at all, plenty of time to float, soak and play with the bath toys kept there specially for her grandchildren
Pine essential oil is an oil I rarely use in massage as it can irritate the skin. However in bath products it is well diluted in mediums which minimise this effect. It is the most wonderful oil for the respiratory system making it excellent for chesty coughs and colds. Used in steam inhalations or in a room diffuser.
The best Pine oil comes from trees grown as far north as possible, Finland being one of the main producers. The oil is extracted by dry distillation of the needles, young twigs and cones.
An oil associated with deep Winter and obviously Christmas, however it has wonderful uses at this time of year, late winter/early spring as we cleanse our lungs and our homes to welcome in the spring light, longer days and cheer. I think it has a playful, energetic aroma.
So what have I done with this little bottle that has brought back some very happy memories?
Well it had to be something for the bath! I have reclaimed a large old jar, topped it up with a mixture of dead sea salts, Epsom salts and a little bit of bicarb and added just a few drops of the pine oil, along with some Laurel and Ginger essential oils, also discovered in the aforementioned cupboard! I’m happy with my concoction, it will be great for restoring baths after gardening, exercise and Spring cleaning!
