Maritime Pine - maritime pine essential oil

Maritime Pine - Coastal pine essential oil
Belonging to the pine family, also known as turpentine, pine is native to the Mediterranean. It can be found from Spain, through Portugal, to Morocco. It grows to a height of 20-30 m, and the diameter of its reddish trunk sometimes reaches 1 meter. Its 20 cm long needles are very narrow, barely 2-3 millimeters, and its cone is the largest in Europe, 20-30 cm long. It is called the rubber tree of Europe because its resin is extracted in a similar way. The "wood tapping" after that, turpentine oil is obtained by steam distillation. Its alpha pinene content is 70-85%, while the beta pinene content is 11-20%. An effective expectorant, it can be used very well to alleviate complaints of expectoration and colds. According to a recently published study, it can also help people with heart failure. The dietary supplement pycnogenol is a very strong natural antioxidant extracted from pine bark. It belongs to the group of bioflavonoids. During the Great Plague epidemic, it was also used as a filling material for pomanders (scented boxes), because according to the belief, the strong, pungent scents drive away the disease. They kneaded balls of different scented resins, placed them in the box, and wore them around their waists or on a chain around their necks in the 15th and 16th centuries. century.
The essential oil of maritime pine has a calming and disinfecting effect, which is why it is an ideal choice for use in mixtures that aim to disinfect the air. It has a high content of alpha-pinene, so it has a balancing effect on the spirit, relieves stress, eases breathing, slimes, and relieves pain. It is also a popular essential oil among athletes, as it is the primary active ingredient in massage creams for stretching and sprains.
It is interesting to mention that dr. Gyula Folly, a doctor from Pécs, founded an arboretum in Badacsonyörs 110 years ago. Coastal pines and Andalusian firs were planted here, which are still alive today thanks to the special climate. The current owner of the Folly Arboretum is the grandson of the doctor who organizes the cone harvest every year.