How would you like to capture the magic of Christmas…
and use it all year-long to soothe and heal a variety of aliments.
Harvesting the needles, twigs, and bark from your Christmas Tree will allow you just that!
Benefits of Balsam Fir
The balsam fir is the most widely used tree to symbolism the season of Christmas.
Not only does it bring joy and beauty into our homes…but it contains very powerful medicinal properties.
Its chemical constituents are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, expectorant, and sedative effects.
Historically, balsam fir has been known to benefit the human body by:
- its ability to soothe over-worked muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints
- reducing cortisol levels — thereby reducing stress, anxiety, tension, and depression
- healing respiratory conditions — those such as asthma, bronchitis, and coughs
- treating colds, flu, sore throat, and fever
- significantly reducing pain for those who suffer from fibromyalgia, back pain, rheumatic pain, and a multitude of inflammatory conditions
- preventing infection of cuts & wounds
- grounding & balancing the mind
4 Ways To Capture The Magic
Oil Infusion
Infuse dried fir needles, twigs, and bark in a stable oil such as olive, sesame, or coconut. Once infused, this fir oil may be used in salves, ointments, lotions, soaps, massage oils, and/or aromatherapy oils to create remedies to treat any number of the aliments listed above. [Read this article to learn how to make medicinal, herb-infused oil…]
Tincture
Creating a balsam tincture will allow you to easily ingest the goodness of this miraculous plant. The extract created through tincturing is also useful topically in lotions, aromatic room & body sprays, cooking, and first-aid. [Read this article to learn how to make an herbal tincture…]
Vinegar Infusion
Using organic apple cider vinegar — and the principles of basic tincturing — you can create a super tasty vinaigrette for use in the kitchen.
Seasoning
This year I have filled a seasoning grinder (just like this one) full of:
- 1 part dried fir needles
- 1 part dried balsam fir bark
- 1 part dried lemon peel
- 1 part peppercorns
- 1 part coarse Himalayan pink salt.
Fir needles add a lemony flavor to foods…and let me tell you, this seasoning blend is awesome! [I purchase herbs and spices for the kitchen in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs…HUGE savings]
***Be sure you know the source of your tree prior to using its needles, twigs, and bark. Many tree farms use pesticides and other yucky stuff.
How do you capture the medicinal benefits of your Christmas Tree?
Herbal Sweet Dreams Salve :: For Naturally Peaceful Sleep
I add some to my foot bath in the evenings. When I”m under the weather it is good to steep & inhale to clear the sinuses etc. I also do a ACV infusion and put it in a spray bottle to spritz my dog’s ear as a preventative for ear infection. I spray her paws if she gets a sticker too.
Ooooo…I love the thought of using it on my puppies! Thanks for the idea 🙂
I have a friend who suffers from fibromyalgia. Which method is the best for dealing with her symptoms?
A salve would be wonderful for topical application. The oil defused into the air is great. And a tincture to take daily doses would work as well 🙂
***Be sure you know the source of your tree prior to using its needles, twigs, and bark. Many tree farms use pesticides and other yucky stuff.
Thanx for the disclaimer. Just as I was about ready to jump on this I realized I had no idea where the tree is from or how it was grown:(
Yes! And scary to think that trees sprayed with that yucky stuff sit in homes for weeks 🙁
What do you think about a Fraser fir, would it be able to used in the same way?
This explains why I loved sitting and smelling my tree! It calmed me down and I felt better.
I love making tea from pine needles, though only from freshly picked outdoor living breathing trees. I recently read that once trees are brought indoors they are susceptible to mold, this being one reason some get allergies this time of year. Just an FYI on repurposing tree. Otherwise, great info!
Here in se New Mexico. We don’t have fir. I cut my own tree every year and what we have is piñon pines. Would there be any benefits with that?
Good information!
I have had chest congestion as a result of postnasal drip, tonsil stones and bad breath. Some herbalist advised me to use christmas tree dried herbs to clear chest congestion and tonsil stones a week ago. To my surprise, my chest is clearing, no tonsils since I used it, and my bb is clearing. I have used it since Thursday last week.
It must be a wonder.
Thanks.
Vasta from Uganda
I undertook a scan and found that my seminal vesicle is enlarged yet my right testis is shrinking. How can I use Christmas tree to help in this. Kindly advise. Andrew from uganda