The warm, sweet smell comes from a high level of terpenes in the resin. The terpene is the tree's immune system, protecting it from microbial invadors. So, besides smelling awesome, the resin has therapeutic properties as well. Among other things, this oil will be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and a muscle relaxant.
From The Forager's Path:
Tree resins are the immune system of the tree. They contain proven anti-microbials and protect the plant from the same pathogens we deal with: bacteria, fungus and viruses.People have been using pine resins for skin and wound care for centuries.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup or so of resin chunks
1 cup of non-aromatic carrier oil (I used sweet almond)
glass container
How to Do It:
Collect a bunch of resin chunks off the trees or buy some at Miri.
 |
| Ponderosa resin chunks fresh from the tree! |
Place your resin nuggets between two cloths. I used a folded diaper. Crush the resin with a hammer. You can also do this with a mortar and pestle. I ended up with about 1/2 cup of powder.
Put the powder into a glass jar.
 |
| Crushed Ponderosa resin |
Cover with oil. I used sweet almond. You can use any non-aromatic carrier oil. The proportion should be about 2 parts oil to one part resin powder to get a nice, strong infusion. There were a few bark bits in mine, but those won't hurt your product and they're easily strained at the end of the process.
Cover and set in a sunny window. Shake once or twice a day, and let it sit for as long as you can stand it. Longer is better. One month is ideal. Even after an hour, this oil already smells unbelievably awesome.
Strain and use!
From Plants for a Future:
Ponderosa pine was employed medicinally by several native North American Indiantribes, who valued it especially for its antiseptic and vulnerary properties, using it to treat
a range of skin problems, cuts, wounds, burns etc. It was also valued for its beneficial
effect upon the respiratory system and was used to treat various chest and lung
complaints. The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic,
rubefacient and vermifuge. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of
kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath
in the treatment of rheumatic affections. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory
system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory
complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB. Externally it is a very beneficial
treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc and is used in
the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers. The branches
are used in herbal steam baths as a treatment for muscular pains. A decoction of the
plant tops has been used in the treatment of internal bleeding and high fevers. An
infusion of the dried buds has been used as an eye wash.
MIRI
