Content
DIY fir oil at home is easy to make. A natural remedy saves from many problems - cuts, burns, insect bites, so there are those who want to have it at hand. In some cases, it can have anesthetic effect. But when applying it for the first time, it is important to learn about contraindications. One of them is allergic reactions to components.
What does fir oil look like?
The resulting product is stored only in glass containers.
Fir oil is often used in folk and traditional medicine, as well as in cosmetology. The tool has a lot of useful properties, which is why it is so popular. However, safe use requires a quality product with natural ingredients in the composition. Because of this, many people prefer to make fir oil at home, despite the fact that it is a rather laborious process that requires adherence to the rules.
A quality product has certain properties: color, smell and composition. Any deviation from the norm indicates a violation of the cooking technology, stale raw materials, and this significantly reduces its effectiveness, in some cases it can harm the body.
Fir oil composition
The useful qualities of the product are due to its constituent elements:
- vitamin C;
- tocopherol;
- tannins;
- provitamin A (carotene);
- pinene (part of the resin of coniferous trees);
- cineole (eucalyptol);
- aldehydes;
- phytoncides;
- camphor;
- oleic and lauric acids.
From macro and microelements, it contains iron, copper, manganese, cobalt.
Due to its rich composition, the agent has established itself as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral drug, is a good antioxidant. The oil has a positive effect on the skin, providing an antibacterial and disinfectant effect.
Smell and color of fir oil
Fir oil is a liquid that can be colorless or have a yellowish, greenish tint. A dark color indicates a defective or spoiled product. The smell is rich, coniferous, with hints of lemon and mint. The consistency of the product is also important. It tends to absorb quickly and has a fluidity. When buying or after cooking at home, you can check its quality by doing a test. A little oil needs to be applied to the paper. If after 10-15 minutes a greasy spot is noticeable on the surface, then the product is not of high quality and natural.
Does fir oil freeze in the cold
Like all other oils, it freezes.Thus, by lowering the temperature, crystallization of some components can be detected in the vial. This happens when their concentration goes beyond the saturation point.
The easiest cooking method is cold pressing
Types of fir oil
If we talk about fir oil, which is produced on an industrial scale, then there are 3 varieties. Their difference is in what kind of fir tree was used in the preparation:
- white fir - has a rich woody aroma;
- Siberian fir - fresh forest smell;
- balsam fir - very mild herbal aroma.
The main differences are in the aroma, the main thing for raw materials is growing in an ecologically clean place, far from industrial facilities.
How is fir oil made industrially
Fir oil is a valuable resource. In its production, high-quality raw materials and special equipment are used. The best time to harvest it is from May to September. It was during this period that the needles are maximally saturated with useful substances.
Fir oil is extracted from legs that are no more than 30 cm in length and 8 mm in width. Of the equipment, a container (vat) with a grate at the bottom, a grinder that speeds up the production process, a steam generator, as well as a cooling apparatus and a filter are used. Fir oil is driven for no more than 15 hours. At the same time, to obtain 1 liter of the product, 100 kg of coniferous legs and 50 kg of steam are required.
How fir oil is made at home
Making fir oil at home is a rather laborious process, but for connoisseurs of a natural product, it is enough to follow some cooking rules and select good raw materials. In the future, it will be easier to prepare the liquid. However, it must be borne in mind that in the process, the room will be filled with vapors with a strong aroma of needles, which can provoke an asthma attack in allergy sufferers and headaches, especially in children and the elderly.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
Young trees up to 2 m tall are suitable for harvesting raw materials
It is known that the optimal time for the procurement of raw materials is from May to September inclusive. Moreover, in the spring it is better to collect young shoots and cones, as well as buds. In August and September, it is time to shoot the needles. The main condition is that trees should be located as far as possible from the railway, highway, hazardous industries. After collecting raw materials for 1-2 months, it will retain all the useful properties.
You need to choose a plant no higher than 2 m in height, which grows in a sunny place and has a healthy appearance. This means the complete absence of signs of dryness, decay, as well as pests, moss. You can collect needles, buds, young green cones, bark. The branches should be no more than 10 mm in diameter.
How to make fir oil from buds and shoots by infusion
This version of the preparation of fir oil is called cold pressing. Cut the raw materials and fill the glass jar to 70%, tamp and add oil to the volume. Close with a tight lid. Infuse for about 3 weeks in a dark and cool place (not in the refrigerator). Shake the jar periodically. After 3 weeks, squeeze the resulting mass through cheesecloth and pour into a dark bottle.
How to make fir oil from pine needles in a water bath
For this cooking method, you will need to cut the raw material into 1-2 cm and pour it into a glass jar so that 4-5 cm remains to the edge.Pour the needles with vegetable oil, close the lid and put in a water bath for 5 hours.In this case, you need to monitor the level of water in the container on the stove, periodically adding hot water there. After the contents of the jar have cooled, the plant materials must be drained and squeezed out. Then load a new portion and pour over the strained oil. Leave again in a water bath for 5 hours. Then strain and bottle again.
The product can be purchased if you do not want to cook it yourself. However, there is a high probability of buying a fake. It is recommended to use trusted manufacturers.
How to cook fir oil in the oven
For raw materials, you can use not only branches, but also young cones and buds
Grind the raw materials, put in a glass container, filling it to 80%, add vegetable oil. Wrap the top with foil, make holes. Heat the oven to 150 ° C and leave the jar for 2 hours. Then reduce the temperature to 60 ° C and simmer for about 10 hours. Cool and strain the contents of the container, add a new portion of needles. The process must be repeated 2 more times. Pour the resulting oil into bottles.
How to make fir oil in a combined way
The technology for making fir oil at home using the infusion method is quite simple. Young buds and shoots will be required. Raw materials should be harvested in May, when the plant begins to grow intensively. The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- Grind raw materials. Cut the buds into 2 parts, shoots into 3 parts.
- Fill one-liter jars with raw materials up to the shoulders and pour over heated refined oil. Cover with a lid on top.
- Banks should be left in a dark place for 40 days.
- Strain the mixture, squeeze and heat again to 50 ° C.
- After cooling, pour into bottles.
The combined method consists in the alternation of several processes - heating and infusion.
How to make fir oil smell
When producing fir oil at home, the aroma of a natural product is preserved. Properly made oil smells good. However, over time, the aroma becomes weaker. This is due to the fact that some of the aromatic substances evaporate. To prevent this from happening, the resulting product should be stored in a dark, cool place, only in a glass container with a tight lid.
Where is fir oil used?
Fir oil has long been known for its beneficial properties. It is widely used in medicine, cosmetology, since this product is considered natural. It has the following properties:
- antiseptic;
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory;
- pain relievers;
- tonic;
- calming.
Bath lovers use the product for preventive purposes.
Fir oil is especially often used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes against respiratory diseases, influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis, bronchial asthma. It has a sedative, expectorant effect, relieves inflammation and irritation. The composition includes such useful components as phytoncides, as well as a group of vitamins, which has a general strengthening effect on the body. A good effect is noticeable with hypothermia and frostbite of the skin.
In the treatment of various types of neuralgias and arthrosis, fir oil is indicated as an additional therapy, since it has an analgesic effect and actively fights edema. In addition, it has proven itself as a means of influencing the central nervous system. Helps to cope with stress, neurotic disorders, chronic fatigue. It is noticed that it helps to eliminate insomnia.
It can be used only for external purposes, adding to baths, using in compresses, inhalations. Among other things, the tool is quite effective for aromatization and disinfection of the room.
In cosmetology, the drug is used to solve some problems with the skin in the acute stage. These include the treatment of boils, abscesses, acne and edema. The tool is considered effective for combating wrinkles, with a loss of skin elasticity, and a decrease in turgor. Due to the content of vitamins and minerals in it, it refreshes the face and body, significantly rejuvenates.
Like any product, it has a number of contraindications:
- childhood;
- bronchial asthma;
- tendency to allergic manifestations;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- epilepsy;
- diseases of the urinary system.
In addition, it is necessary to refuse to use the product for people with individual intolerance to certain components in the composition, for pregnant and lactating women.
If undesirable consequences arise during application, it is recommended to quickly ventilate the room, rinse it from the skin surface, rinse your eyes with running water if it gets on the mucous membranes. It is important not to combine with alcoholic beverages, to do an elbow test and not to exceed the recommended dosages.
Why is fir oil used at home
A fir broom for a bath in combination with an extract from needles is the best remedy for many diseases
The tool is so useful that the scope of application is not limited only to human health. It is very functional and widely used in everyday life. Fir has a very pronounced aroma, so its oil is often used to repel insects, as well as to relieve itching after a bite.
Essential vapors disinfect the room well, destroying fungi and bacteria, in addition, and unwanted odors. It is successfully used in educational and medical institutions as a harmless air purifier.
How to use fir oil in a bath
It is known that there are a huge number of true lovers of the bath. They are not limited to the usual procedure. Many people use oils for greater effect. After visiting the bath, mood and efficiency improve, fatigue disappears, and vigor appears in the body. The secret of using oils in baths is that, being volatile substances, molecules penetrate the body much faster under the influence of temperature and humidity. At the same time, the pores on the skin open up at times better, toxins and toxins come out, and the beneficial substances in the composition are actively absorbed.
Fir oil is considered one of the first to be used in aromatherapy. In the bath, it is used as follows:
- drip a little oil into a bucket of water and spray on the stones, and then inhale the aroma deeply through the nose;
- body massage with a fir broom;
- foot bath.
Any of these procedures will help strengthen the immune system, give a boost of vigor, protect against respiratory diseases, and tone the skin.
Making Soap with Fir Oil
Real pine soap is difficult to buy in a regular store, but you can make it yourself. If it is possible to cook fir oil at home, then it can be used in the preparation of other products. Then the product will turn out to be completely natural and environmentally friendly.
You can make your own fir soap by adding a couple of drops of oil to the soap base.
In a specialized store you need to buy a soap base, a mold, alcohol, fir essential oil. Melt the base, add a few drops of oil there, mix thoroughly, pour. Sprinkle with alcohol on top, and then leave to cool. If, during the preparation process, add the needles crushed into powder into the mass, then the soap will turn out with an exfoliating effect.
Is it possible to drip fir oil on an artificial Christmas tree
To give an artificial tree a real forest scent, use the following trick.Pure water is poured into a spray bottle, and 2-3 drops of cinnamon, orange and fir oils are added there. The mixture should be shaken well and sprinkled with an artificial tree. The scent is quite intense, so it's important not to overdo it.
As a repellent for insects and rodents
Rodents and insects are very difficult to tolerate the smell of fir, so you can fight them with this tool. Mosquitoes and midges can be applied neat, especially outdoors. Parasites are attracted by body odor, and the scent of fir scares them away. Oil is often used for cleaning the house by adding it to water. By wiping the surfaces with such a solution, you can protect the house for a long time from the invasion of winged insects and cockroaches.
To get rid of rats and mice, you can use a composition of any vegetable oil with drops of fir remedy. This mixture should be moistened with cotton swabs and spread in places where rodents appear. After a certain time, the "guests" will stop visiting.
Fir oil for room aromatization
Fir oil is often used as a flavoring agent in an air humidifier. You can make a similar natural spray yourself. It will provide not only a pleasant aroma in the room, but also health, good mood, cheerfulness. To do this, you can drop a few drops into the spray bottle, mix, and then periodically spray the room.
How to check the quality of fir oil
A quality product has a delicate pine aroma
High quality will be indicated by the following signs:
- smell;
- appearance;
- structure and density.
There are several ways to test the quality of fir oil. Pour a small amount into a glass container and shake slightly. At room temperature, it should be free of impurities, turbidity. Only a slight appearance of sediment is permissible, however, as the temperature rises, the oil should become transparent again.
You can put a few drops on a clean cloth. The smell should be pleasant and light, not irritating to the sense of smell. Over time, the fragrance evaporates and becomes even less noticeable. If flavors are added, then the smell is quite rich and does not disappear quickly.
What can replace fir oil
Other coniferous oils have similar properties. For example, spruce, pine, cedar and juniper. They differ in composition and properties, but in general they can be used instead of fir. All conifers are etheric trees. Oils from them are obtained by evaporation of shoots, buds, young bark. They are used in medicine, cosmetology and in everyday life.
Where and how to store fir oil
After cooking, it must be poured into a glass container, preferably dark glass. It is necessary to select a sealed lid for this container so that the ethers do not evaporate. Store only in a dark, cool place. A refrigerator is fine. Under proper storage conditions, it will not lose its properties within 2 years.
Conclusion
DIY fir oil at home is very easy to make, especially by cold pressing. Other methods are more time consuming. However, the efforts are worth it - the product is of high quality and natural without impurities. It is suitable for the treatment of various diseases and as a prophylactic agent. In addition, many find it effective in solving some everyday problems.
