Effect:
antibiotic, pain relieving, anti-cancer, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory
Areas of application:
Cuts, wounds, abrasions, infections, chapped lips, cold sores, bronchitis, cough, sore throat, tuberculosis, sore throat, bronchial spasms, gonorrhea, cancer, tumors, sore muscles, body aches
Plant parts used:
Needles, twigs, resin
Collection time:
Young leaves and shoots - in spring
Resin - anytime
To find:
In northeastern North America
Ingredients:
essential oils
Miscellaneous:
Balsam fir reaches a height of 13.5 to 19.5 meters when fully grown. The tree grows in the classic Christmas tree shape, although the trees grown for sale are shaped. In nature, the tree forms a narrow crown that is more rounded than the simple top that most commercial trees have. The leaves are short, dark green, flat needles, each about 2.5 cm long and silver-blue on the underside. The bark is smooth and gray with resin-filled blisters, forming a rough, scaly appearance in older trees. The cones are about 3.75 to 7.5 cm long and dark purple. When ripe, they turn brown and open to release the seeds. These are winged and are released in September.
The balsam fir is very popular as a Christmas tree in North America. The Christmas trees sold for indoor use are only a few years old and are still immature.
The balsam fir can live up to 245 years and is therefore relatively short-lived. The needles and the resin exude an aromatic scent, which is referred to by the specific epithet balsamea, meaning fragrant.
You can make a scented pillow from the aromatic-smelling needles.