SUBALPINE FIR (Abies lasiocarpa var lasiocarpa) Essential Oil

Subalpine Fir: Abies lasiocarpa var lasiocarpa

By Clare Licher

A perfect specimen of Subalpine Fir

Subalpine Fir has a magnificent range, from the northern Yukon Territory of Canada, all the way to the high elevation mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. This tree was woven into almost every aspect of life for numerous Native American tribes. The medicinal uses include endocrine support (particularly adrenal and thyroid), wound care, relief from respiratory ailments (including Tuberculosis) and fevers, and support for digestion and internal cleansing. It was frequently used as a ceremonial medicine for psycho-emotional healing, and had many everyday applications such as baby care, hair care, incense, deodorant, housing and firewood.

Dr Robert Adams, a botanist from Texas A&M, did a comparative study on the essential oils of Subalpine fir from Arizona to the Northwest. His results revealed many differences in the essential oil profiles, which reflect the environments that the trees are growing in. The essential oil from trees on the Olympic Peninsula (where it rains or mists almost every day of the year) contains about 53% b-phellandrene, a potent anti-fungal. This is no doubt a protection against mold since the trees are in constant moisture. The oil from trees in northern Arizona, where the climate is much more arid, contains only about 5% b-phellandrene. Similarly, the trees on the Olympic Peninsula, which are not exposed to long stretches of intense sunlight and heat, contain only .1% camphene in their essential oil. The essential oil from trees in northern Arizona contains around15% camphene, which is most likely a response to a greater need for antioxidant protection. Our specimen from the Kaibab Plateau contains 21% camphene. The third significant difference in their chemistry is in the level of bornyl acetate. The trees from the Olympic Peninsula contain only .1%, where as the trees in northern Arizona contain around 30%. Bornyl acetate has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedating effects. The more elevated presence of this constituent may be because the trees are more drought and heat stressed from being at the southern most edge of their range.

Subalpine Fir range

My husband, Max, suffered from asthma as a child. The condition resolved by the time he was in his mid to late teens, but he has had somewhat compromised lungs ever since. Often in the winter time his lungs become chronically irritated from the cold, wood smoke and the pollinating Junipers in our region. Several years ago he also had an acute case of pneumonia, so we are obviously concerned for him regarding Covid-19. Recently he began experiencing feelings of tightness and congestion in his lungs. He tested negative for Covid, but it was concerning nonetheless. We thought that the Subalpine Fir EO would be helpful because of its known respiratory benefits and its high level of bornyl acetate. He made a low budget inhaler for himself by taking two small strips of Kleenex, applying one drop of oil on each piece, rolling them up, inserting them in his nose and breathing for about an hour. This brief, simple process greatly relieved the tightness and congestion he was feeling, while relaxing and uplifting his mood. He has since been putting a drop in his mask to maintain the health of his lungs and to keep the mask fresh. As much as none of us enjoy wearing a mask, we can improve the experience by enhancing them as with our favorite essential oils, to boost our immunity and keep our spirits high!

 

 

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Spruce and Fir meadow

 

References
Daniel E Moerman, (2009), Native American Medicinal Plants, an Ethnobotanical Dictionary
Robert P. Adams, Christopher J. Earle, David Thornburg, Phytolagia (April 2011, 93 (1)) Taxonomy of Infraspecific Taxa of Abies lasiocarpa. Leaf Essential Oils and DNA Of Abies lasiocarpa var. bifolia and var. arizonica.

Range map image: Srs.fs.usda.gov
Robert r. Alexander, Raymond C. Spearer, and Wayne D. Shepperd