| Details | Limited edition essential oil, produced by a passionate aromatherapist in a small oil factory in southwest Iceland. |
| Scientific Name | Pinus contorta |
| Purity | 100% natural essential oil |
| Organic Certification | No certificate; wild collection and pesticide-free (pesticides are not legally permitted in Icelandic forestry). |
| Harvest | Wildcrafted; harvested by hand as required |
| Processing | Gentle steam distillation of fresh twigs and needles |
| Terroir | Daníelslundur, Borgarfjoerður, Iceland |
| Origin | Directly from the essential oil manufacturer with its own distillery |
| Aroma | Aromatic, fresh, green, woody. |
| Effects | Toning, invigorating, regenerating, relaxing, protective, energising. |
| Allergens | Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool. |
The lodgepole pine thrives in the south-west of Iceland. A sub-polar oceanic climate prevails there all year round, characterised seasonally by extreme cold, humidity and darkness. The land of volcanoes is characterised by notoriously changeable weather with strong winds and storms. These extreme climatic conditions lead to the development of complex, natural ingredients in the essential oils of the trees, such as β-phellandrene, α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene and myrcene. These ingredients are responsible for the unmistakable, fresh, aromatic fragrance of lodgepole pine oil. The exclusively fresh branches and needles are harvested by hand. They are a by-product of existing sustainable forest management, resulting from thinning and pruning. Immediately after harvesting, the twigs are distilled using gentle steam. Pure Icelandic water and green energy from waterfalls and geothermal water are used for distillation.
We source this essential oil from a passionate producer who runs a small essential oil factory in southwest Iceland. Most of the plant material is harvested by hand. The producer is a trained aromatherapist and also works in Iceland's state forestry. At the heart of her business is the protection of her unique region, her commitment to sustainability and the production of her essential oils. No trees are cut down for the production; she uses twigs and branches that are periodically left over from the pruning and thinning of forests as part of Icelandic forestry practices. The equipment she uses for distillation is recycled. She uses a 500-liter milk tank, a condenser and stainless steel pipes that was acquired from an old dairy farm. The small production quantities, the method of production and the regionality make her essential oils particularly special.
The lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), which belongs to the pine family, originates from the western and coastal regions of North America and Alaska, but can also be found in Iceland, where it is widespread. It grows quickly and thrives best on nutrient-poor soils. The very frost- and wind-resistant lodgepole pine is small-growing and reaches a height of 1m - 3m. The indigenous people of North America found a use for almost every part of the tree. There, the name relates to the use of the tree trunks as poles to support huts and tipis. The North American natives and settlers ate the inner bark, called the cambium, when there was a lack of food. The nutritious seeds were also eaten and the needles were used to make a tasty tea, which is a source of vitamin C. The resin of the tree was used to stop infections, soothe sore throats and cure toothache.
The fresh woody aroma invigorates and refreshes body and mind. In traditional Chinese medicine, pine oil strengthens the lungs and tonifies the Qi. It helps to reduce stress and provides energy when we are physically, mentally or emotionally exhausted.
