Abundant and varied evergreens are among my favorite things about our new home–our property is dotted with both individual trees and thick stands of various pines and firs. My single favorite trees may be the two White Firs (Abies concolor) that grow here; their silver-green needles on balanced branches are both striking and haunting.
White Fir, sometimes called Concolor Fir or Rocky Mountain White Fir, is native to the Western mountains of the United States and grows to heights of approximately 75-200 feet with trunks spanning up to six feet at maturity.
Because of its vigor, beauty, and needle retention, it is often used in landscaping and sold as “the classic silver Christmas tree”. It’s shade resistance means that it is considered a “climax species”, meaning it will continue to grow and thrive–eventually crowding out other trees–if given the chance.
The essential oil of White Fir is distilled from the trees needles and twigs and has a more bright and light fragrance than many other oils in the conifer family owing to its balance between all of its notes: balsamic, camphoraceous, woody, and piney.
Therapeutically, White Fir offers a wide range of benefits: it is an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, antibacterial, and, perhaps most notably, decongestant and expectorant. As you might imagine, White Fir essential oil is an excellent choice in seasonal allergy, cold, and flu blends. (White Fir is not recommended for individuals suffering from consistent respiratory compromise such as asthma, however.)
In both its fragrance and its energetics, White Fir delivers the kind of benefit I associate with a restorative walk through the peaceful woods: relaxing, uplifting, emotionally calming, and strengthening.
Like many evergreens, it’s an excellent choice when want to clear your energy, reinvigorate your purpose, and build your self-confidence to stand tall and firm even in cold, dark times (like the evergreens). It’s unique ability to come from behind and take the lead in nature (growing in the shade and eventually reaching higher than other trees to crowd out their light) yields a unique energetic alignment with coming back from a setback, emerging from shadows, and standing tall to find your light.
If you’re having trouble shaking off shadow in your life even as spring begins to brighten (and release pollen!) across the landscape, consider using White Fir in a simple diffuser blend.
White Fir will energetically cleanse and protect both your home and your spirit, strengthen your purpose, and encourage respiratory health.
To make an Emerging from Winter blend to cleanse, protect, uplift, soothe, and reinvigorate you and your home, combine equal parts White Fir (Abies concolor) and White Pine (Pinus strobus) in an appropriate, light-protected glass bottle with an orifice reducer cap that will allow you to use the resulting blend drop-by-drop.
Remember, you’re making a larger quantity stock blend you can use to add just a few drops at a time in your diffuser–don’t diffuse this quantity all at once! Add 3-4 drops to your diffuser (or follow a manufacturer’s recommendation, if appropriate) to enjoy the bright, restorative fragrance and refreshed purpose. (I repeat, this one is NOT recommended for anyone with chronic respiratory issues…)
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