A warm and fascinating balsamic aroma spreads throughout the room, it is the scent of the essential oil of silver fir, scientific name Abies alba. This essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the needles and branches of this type of fir, which grows spontaneously in the forests of the northern hemisphere. But spreading the essential oil of silver fir not only brings a pleasant scent in the rooms, this essential oil is also beneficial for health, since, thanks to the active ingredients that compose it, it purifies the air, protects the lungs and relaxes. It can be diffused in the air using an essence-burning lamp, one drop of essence per square meter.
Against fungi and microbes for a healthier home air
The essential oil of silver fir shows an interesting antifungal and antimicrobial action, which can be made even more powerful if the silver fir is used in synergy with the lemon essential oil. Indeed, a research was conducted that tested the effectiveness of a mixture of lemon essential oil and silver fir essential oil in a hospital room. After two hours, the concentration of bacteria in the air had decreased by 40% while that of fungi by up to 60% (Lanzerstorfer et al, J Environ Sci Health A, 2019).
Anti-inflammatory action on the lungs
Like other essential oils of conifers, the essential oil of silver fir has, as its main constituent, bornyl acetate, which is a monoterpene studied for its anti-inflammatory action. In particular, it has been observed that this substance is especially beneficial to protect from inflammatory lung diseases (Chen et al, J Surg Res, 2014). In fact, bornyl acetate is able to downregulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines, which, in case of an out-of-control immune response as happens in the most serious cases of new coronavirus infection, excessively increase causing blood clots and a more complicated clinical course.
Calming action
Bornyl acetate, one of the substances responsible for the balsamic scent of fir, also has a relaxing and calming action, especially after a day of work. In fact, it was observed that after a day of computer work, smelling the silver fir oil diffused in the room for three quarters of an hour made changes to the sympathetic nervous system, favoring the parasympathetic nervous system that is linked to states of calm and relaxation (Matsubara et al, Biomed Res, 2011). To benefit from the calming action of silver fir essential oil, you can also prepare a relaxing bath. Pour ten drops of silver fir essential oil on a handful of whole sea salt, add to the water and stay in for a quarter of an hour.
Analgesic action
The essential oil of silver fir also contains compounds, such as camphene and alpha pinene, which perform an antioxidant, antispasmodic and pain-relieving action, therefore useful in case of muscle pain and back pain (De Cassia da Silveira et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2017). In this case you can add 5 drops of silver fir essential oil to 50 ml of vegetable oil, such as sweet almond oil, and apply on the area with circular massages.
