The name mariana means “of Maryland.” Phillip Miller, who named the species, felt that Maryland epitomized North America – but the species does not actually grow there!
A powerful wood essential oil, Black Spruce is distilled from the needles and branches of the Picea Mariana tree. Known to create a relaxing atmosphere, start your day off with the cooling and soothing benefits of Black Spruce. Co-impact sourced by doTERRA from Canada, we absolutely love the scent of this little bottle of oil!
As I learn more about these oils and share them with you I hope you come to appreciate their benefits as well.
Black Spruce is one of the most interesting essential oil stories.
Picea mariana dominates the landscape of much of Alaska and specific regions of Canada because of its ability to flourish in areas with long winters and varying topography.
This abundance of growth creates a significant problem: waste. Along with having a myriad of well-being promoting benefits that are unique in the essential oil world, the extraction of Black Spruce essential oil is the epitome of environmental stewardship.
The Carrier people used black spruce wood to make fish traps. Other aboriginal people made snowshoe frames and drying racks. They also used powdered resin on wounds to speed healing.
How Does doTERRA Source Black Spruce?
Black Spruce trunks are generally considered too small and too soft for timber so they are primarily used in paper and various other wood-based products, such as chopsticks. Once the trunks have been stripped, the remnants are basically left to rot. This creates a significant issue that affects both the environment and the local economy.
Together with its harvesting partner, doTERRA figured out an environmentally responsible way to use what ultimately may be the most valuable parts of the Black Spruce tree: the branches and leaves (needles) that contain the woody, slightly balsamic smelling essential oils.
First, the remaining branches and needles are steam distilled
then the remaining mash is burned by a local power plant
the resulting steam is used to facilitate the extraction of more essential oils.
doTERRA has facilitated an ingenious close-looped system that benefits the environment, several different businesses, and especially all of us, who now have access to this wonderful essential oil.
The Chemistry of Black Spruce
Essential oils from spruce species are quite rare and unique.
Some varieties, such as Hemlock, Norway, and White spruces do produce essential oil, but with far less yield and spectrum of benefits than Picea mariana.
Furthermore, while most tree-derived essential oils share a handful of similar characteristics (they are great for the skin and hair) offering aromas to calm and ground emotions, Black Spruce is a little different. The composition of Black Spruce essential oil is dominated by two compounds you might want to familiarize yourself with, bornyl acetate and alpha-pinene. But Black Spruce also has a complex mixture including significant concentrations of camphene and delta-3-carene.
Benefits and Uses of Black Spruce
Due to this distinct chemical makeup, Black Spruce has some properties you might not normally associate with tree oils.
For instance, Black Spruce is surface cleansing, likely due to its concentration of delta-3-carene1.
Learn More about Black Spuce
Primary Benefits
Provides soothing relief to the skin
Relaxing and calming to the emotions
Helps reduce and manage stress
Promotes feelings of clear and easy breathing
Soothes minor skin irritations
Not only does this make it great for use around the home, but also in your daily personal care regimen. Try adding a drop or two to your normal face cleanser to reduce the appearance of blemishes or even use it in your daily tooth-brushing routine2.
Multiple experimental studies have also shown that Black Spruce may help to keep the teeth clean when used as a component of a dental gel3,4. Just be aware, Black Spruce is not recommended for internal use, so follow recommended guidelines including gargling with warm water or a high-quality mouthwash after use.
Conclusion
If you are looking to add another essential oil to create a relaxing environment this holiday season, or want to try something a little different to complement your daily self-care regimens, try Black Spruce.
Not only will you feel better about using all-natural products to support your well-being, but also that you are doing something positive for the environment at the same time.
When lifestyle is the focus, health is naturally achieved and maintained.
Your daily habits make all the difference. Build a strong foundation by eating right and regularly exercising. Lifelong health and vitality require proper fuel for your body, like minimally processed whole foods, complemented by the right nutritional supplements.
Getting some form of exercise daily is vital to the quality of life and overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We’re exposed to toxins every day.
Reduce your toxic load and the burden they place on your bodily systems and vital organs by eating a clean diet, cleansing regularly, and using natural household and personal care products.
As you move toward taking more responsibility for your health, you create daily essential oil regimens and use natural products to support overall well-being.
And of course, establish a relationship with a trusted healthcare professional so you can be proactive instead of reactive about necessary medical care.
Transforming your mind, body, and home has never been easier with essential oils and essential oil infused products. With doTERRA, you can be confident that your essential oils are safe, pure, and effective.
doTERRA oils are safe to use with the whole family and give you peace of mind.
Pure, ethically sourced essential oils are doTERRA’s number one priority.
When you use the Loyalty Rewards Program (LRP), you get wellness delivered to your door every month. You get to pick and choose which products you want and can even change them from month to month, but the best part is that every time you order you are earning rewards points that can be redeemed for free product!
“My favorite things about the Loyalty Rewards Program is earning points while ordering products I was going to order anyway.”
KaSaundra R. from Michigan
“Once I replaced the other products I was buying from the stores like shampoo and lotions and those terrible air fresheners… I realized it not only saved me time an money but I was earning loyalty rewards and getting our oils for free”
Jessica R. from Illinois
Your Purchase Changes Lives
In an industry that often cuts corners, we are committed to producing oils that are 100% pure. But our mission is about a lot more than just pure essential oils: our goal is to change the world one drop, one person, one community at a time. Through Co-Impact® Sourcing and the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, we are impacting tens of thousands of lives every day.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
If you know me, you trust my opinion and know that I wouldn’t bullshit you, I would never suggest you try something that didn’t taste good, or recommend you purchase or invest in something that wasn’t worth it. So if you are here you may be wondering where to buy essential oils, well trust me… I Got You! But I want you to understand why you don’t have to look farther than here.
I have been using essential oils for over 20 years and have tried most of them. These are by far the Purest, Safest, Most Effective and therefore the Most Affordable essential oils available on the market today. And I take great pride and love helping people learn how, and when to safely use them. I know you are on a journey of discovery for yourself or maybe a loved one so I’m sharing here some additional information you may find helpful in your learning search.
Be careful where you look, and what you read… some articles aren’t written by an aromatherapist and those knowledgable about the use of oils but commercial writers who query information on the internet, including content sponsored by Big Pharma, which will often convey caution and fear so you continue to rely on pharmaceuticals and over the counter remedies to “treat what ails you”…
Essential oils are everywhere. You can find essential oils at grocery stores, online, and even in your neighborhood market. With so many choices, how do you know which essential oils are best?
The essential oil industry is not regulated so many essential oils on the market are heavily contaminated or adulterated with synthetic chemicals, and that means they should not be used for therapeutic purposes. But Pure essential oils are different, you need to trust that the company providing the oils has integrity and offers quality guarantees. If you aren’t buying direct, and if it is inexpensive, I feel confident in saying it is probably not pure. In an unregulated industry with growers, harvesters, brokers, bottlers, marketers and distributors… everyone needs to make money. And the cheaper it is to you the cheaper the quality of what is in the bottle. …let that soak in.
If you’re buying essential oils for your health and mood, you want something completely natural and safe. Make sure that you don’t inadvertently buy something you think is natural but turns out to be synthetic. And unfortunately buying from third-party sources (like Amazon, and Walmart online are not buying direct…and I won’t trust the quality).
When you want essential oils that are safe and effective, the most important thing to look for is purity. Pure essential oils will allow you to reap the full benefits that nature has to offer, and you can be confident knowing that they are safe to use to use with your family. Remember, you usually get what you pay for, and essential oils are no different.
What to Look for When Buying Essential Oils
In a market where every company claims to have “pure” essential oils, how do you really know if the oils you’re using are pure? How do you know if the essential oils you’re buying are worthy of being used by you and your family?
If you want the best essential oils, find out if the company you plan to buy from takes the following precautions to ensure the quality of their oils:
Sustainable and responsible sourcing (Where do their oils come from?)
Extensive and thorough testing (Do they test their oils for adulteration and contamination?)
Clear and accessible safety and usage information (Do they show customers how to use the oils safely?)
Transparency (Do they use third-party testing? Do they make test results public?)
What Makes doTERRA Different?
When you use a bottle of doTERRA essential oil, you’re using an oil that is pure. There are no contaminants, fillers, or adulterations. The essential oil industry did not have standards to ensure purity, so doTERRA created one.
Every batch of doTERRA essential oils goes through a rigorous testing process—well beyond what would be considered “good enough.” After that, each oil is sent to an independent third party for further testing and validation.
Pure Essential Oils Pass Tests
If the oil passes the tests, it’s labeled as CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®. When you see the CPTG® label, you know you’re using the purest essential oils on the market.
Want to see the purity of doTERRA oils for yourself? Every single bottle of doTERRA oil comes with a quality ID. Use the ID number on the bottom of your bottle to view the third-party test results for that batch of oil by clicking below:
It’s more than just testing that sets doTERRA essential oils apart. doTERRA works diligently to make a difference. Our mission is to change the world one drop, one person, one community at a time.
Responsible Sourcing of Essential Oils
There are several ways to produce essential oils, and not all essential oils are created equal. Some companies choose to cut costs by using low-quality plants or adulterate their oils with cheap substances. While cutting corners might save an essential oil company time and money, it will result in a low-quality oil.
Unfortunately, many of the production methods in the essential oil industry can also be harmful to the environment or result in the unfair treatment of farmers and growers.
Where do doTERRA essential oils come from?
Every oil sold by doTERRA is responsibly and sustainably sourced. doTERRA focuses on sourcing practices that will produce only the highest quality essential oils—no matter the cost. We make it a top priority to protect the environment during the production process and provide fair treatment of all harvesters and growers.
doTERRA created the Co-Impact Sourcing® Initiative and the following 8 principles to ensure responsible practices in all our sourcing communities:
Generating Jobs: Reduce poverty by creating and sustaining jobs
Providing Fair, On-Time Payments: Offer consistent, fair payments to producers, including prepayments
Building Supplier Capacity: Support farmers, producers, and distillers through training and financial support
Sustaining Long-Term Partnerships: Provide multi-year contracts with growers and distillers based on solidarity and respect
Ensuring Fair Labor Conditions: Create healthy and safe working environments, free from harassment and discrimination
Promoting Cooperatives: Guarantee respect the right for all employees and producers to join and form co-operatives
Furthering Environmental Stewardship: Promote energy efficient technologies, renewable energy, and waste minimization
Facilitating Community Development: Support community development projects in sourcing communities such as schools, health clinics, training facilities, and clean water systems
We take pride in sourcing the most pure, potent, and effective essential oils in environmentally and socially responsibly ways. Learn more at sourcetoyou.com.
Humanitarian Impact
From the beginning, doTERRA wanted to be more than a business. “There are givers and there are takers,” said David Stirling, doTERRA Founding Executive, CEO. “We wanted doTERRA to be a giver.”
To accomplish that, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation® was created—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps support community development projects in sourcing communities. These kinds of projects include funding for and building of schools, health clinics, training facilities, and clean water systems.
The doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation also partners with a variety of other organizations to support disaster relief; anti-human trafficking prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation; microloan programs; and feminine hygiene education.
doTERRA generously donates to cover all administrative costs of the foundation so that 100% of all donations go directly to aid. When you partner with the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, your donation could save a child from human trafficking, repair a home devastated by a natural disaster, or help provide someone with access to healthcare.
As a leader in the essential oil industry, doTERRA invests in research and testing to remain at the forefront of essential oil science. Through partnerships with research facilities, hospitals, and universities, we’re learning more about the therapeutic potential of essential oils.
“doTERRA’s mission hinges on discovering and developing the world’s most potent and effective essential oils,” said Dr. David Hill, doTERRA Founding Executive, Scientific and Healthcare Initiatives. “These studies are a demonstration of our leadership in essential oil scientific advances, as well as our commitment to ensuring safe and powerful outcomes for families and individuals using doTERRA essential oils.”
Learn more about doTERRA’s commitment to essential oil research below:
In addition to scientific research and academic partnerships, doTERRA is working to change the landscape of healthcare. Collaborating with many of the top universities and independent facilities in the world, doTERRA is at the forefront of essential oil clinical research.
We’re building healthcare clinics that focus on integrative care, utilizing both traditional and holistic medicine. This initiative is called Prime Meridian™, and you can learn more by clicking below:
Yes, there are safety protocols and practices to use them. But not unlike what you currently follow when you purchase an over-the-counter remedy from the store. When you join doTERRA as a wholesale customer with us you join our Healthy, Happy, and Strong Tribe and have unlimited access to our Community, Education, and Resources to learn everything you can about how to safely use your essential oils and make them a part of you wellness lifestyle.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Moods are often perceived as having chosen us, as if they are happening to us. Rather, the chemical impact of our emotions is the real chooser of moods. That’s why we reach for certain foods, sugar, caffeine, or a drug of choice, interact with certain people, do certain things, and act out certain behaviors because of how it makes us feel and to get a “chemical” hit.
What if we could use this knowledge or be emowered to alter the chemical response to choose the mood we want to feel and then actually feel it- without harmful substances or recreational drugs?! How Empowering would that be? What if we cold think of a desired mood and then choose the use a healthful that is capable of creating that mood through it’s chemical properties and impact to our brain?
With essential oils, we have the ability to direct our own emotional traffic!!
This list is designed to introduce the concept of associating an oil to an emotion or vice versa as well as serve as an ongoing resource.
Smell can be used beneficially in healing efforts as well. Scents are experienced long before words. Whether for relieving stress, stabilizing mood, improving sleep, eliminating pain, relieving nausea, or improving memory and energy levels, scents can actually change nervous system biochemistry…
– THE ESSENTIAL LIFE (tOTAL wELLNESS pUBLISHING 2019)
If you are feeling the negative emotion listed, use this chart to identify the associated oil to support you.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Join my FREE Online Class to Learn More about Essential Oils
If you would like to learn more about essential oils or purchase them at wholesale pricing I recommend only doTERRA. Please consider joining our community to learn more and for unlimited support on how to use the oils and products for your family. LEARN MORE HERE
In a medium-sized bowl combine aloe vera gel/tea, essential oils, and Vitamin E oil. Set aside for later, allowing it to come to room temp. (Sometimes it even helps to set this in a warm water bath to bring it closer to the temperature of the oil/wax mixture you’ll be adding it to. This helps it emulsify.)
Add grated beeswax, butter and oil to a glass measuring cup. Place measuring cup in a small pot of water and bring water to a gentle boil. Heat, stirring occasionally until beeswax is completely melted then carefully remove measuring cup from the pot. (I prefer this double boiler application to the microwave so the it gets hot enough, but not too hot. This will help reduce the cooling time)
Pour beeswax/oil mixture into a blender and allow to cool. (Move on to step 4 when it has cooled down but is still soft.)
Once cooled, turn the blender on LOW. Remove top of the blender and pour aloe vera mixture in a SLOW, continuous stream.
Stop blender as often as needed to run a spatula around sides to incorporate ingredients. If some liquid is pooling at the top, stop frequently to push it around with a spatula. (This step may take as long as 10-15 minutes, and patience is key!) Continue blending until desired consistency is reached. (I use and highly recommend a Vitamix blender.)
Transfer moisturizer to clean jars and refrigerate any portion that will not be used up within a few weeks.
Recipe # 2: Conditioning Lotion Recipe
Ingredients
½ cup almond oil (or jojoba oil, or any other liquid oil)
Combine the liquid oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea cocoa butter if using, in a double boiler or a glass bowl on top of a simmering pan of water.
Stir occasionally as the ingredients melt.
When all ingredients are completely melted, add the vitamin E oil if using and any essential oils or scents like vanilla.
Pour into a glass jar or tin for storage. Small mason jars work perfectly for this.
Notes
Use as you would regular lotion. This will not pump well in a lotion pump!
This lotion is ultra-moisturizing and more oily than water-based lotion option in Recipe #1, so you won’t need to use as much.
It also has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added.
Use within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
A little goes a long way! This lotion is incredibly nourishing and is also great for diaper rash on baby, for eczema, and for preventing stretch marks!
Author: Jennie Knourek – Open Road Essentials
==============
Would you like to learn more about the use of essential oils to support your health?
For the corporate use of doTERRA International LLC. File distrobution and third party use/sales are restricted.
The oils in this blend have been studied for their strong abilities to kill harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. This blend can be diffused into the air or be used to clean and purify household surfaces.
Primary Benefits
Supports healthy immune and respiratory function when used internally*
Ingest to support the body’s natural antioxidant defenses*
Known for its distinct aroma and taste, Lime provides cleansing benefits when taken internally or used topically—making it the perfect oil for purifying skin and surfaces.*
Historical Uses For some time, lime was used as a remedy for dyspepsia with glycerin of pepsin. It was often used in place of lemon for fevers, infections, sore throats, colds, etc.
Other Possible Uses This oil may be beneficial for anxiety, blood pressure, soothing broken capillaries, dissolving cellulite, improving clarity of thought, debility, energy, gallstones, hair (cleansing), promoting leukocyte formation, liver deficiencies in children, lymphatic system cleansing, memory improvement, nails (strengthening), nervous conditions, cleaning children’s skin, sore throats, water and air purification, and promoting a sense of well-being. It works extremely well in removing gum, wood stain, oil, and grease spots. It may also help brighten a pale, dull complexion by removing the dead skin cells. Lime oil is capable of tightening skin and connective tissue.
Lime Oil Uses and Benefits
Known for its purifying properties, Lime essential oil is often used as an internal cleanser.* Lime oil may also support healthy immune function.* When you want to reap these internal benefits, consider adding a drop or two of Lime oil to your water glass or water bottle to enhance the flavor and provide antioxidant support.* If you want a flavorful drink that isn’t soda or full of sugar, you can also place a drop ofLemonand a drop of Lime oil in your water for a refreshing, sweet flavor. But only a drop or two!! A little goes a long way!!!
Looking to add flavor to a side dish? You can always add a drop of Lime essential oil to give it an extra punch of flavor. Lime oil is also a delicious addition to starchy foods like corn or potatoes, a drop to your beer or cocktail or salsa or side dish…
Not only does Lime essential oil taste sweet, it also has a tart, citrus scent as well. This aroma is perfect for when you want to brighten a room or make your home/home away from home clean or fresh. To utilize the smell of Lime oil around your house, try ourSpring Fling Room Spray DIY.Simply combineLemon,Grapefruit, andLime oilwith distilled water into a glass spray bottle and spray the concoction around your home or any area that could use a more cheerful scent.
If you are a fan of fruity or sweet drinks, Lime oil is your new best friend. Lime essential oil will add a tart, naturally sweet flavor to your favorite slushies, smoothies, or drinks includingcocktails.
While the cleansing properties of Lime essential oil can be helpful for internal cleansing* or cleaning the house, you can also use Lime oil to help purify the skin and hair. Consider adding one or two drops of Lime essential oil to your face wash or shampoo to yield the benefits of added cleansing properties. To use Lime oil for hair, just combine with a few drops ofMelaleucaand give yourself a scalp massage in the shower. When you want to use Lime essential oil for skin, try ourGinger Lime Brown Sugar Scrub. You can easily make this facial scrub at home, and it will leave your skin softer and more exfoliated.
Because it has such a unique and stimulating scent, there are many benefits that come from diffusing Lime essential oil. The refreshing properties of Lime oil can positively affect mood when diffused. Lime oil can also promote well-being and emotional balance, so it is a good idea to diffuse Lime on days when you need to center and balance your emotions, or if you aren’t feeling your best. While diffusing Lime oil can help lift your mood, you can also diffuse this oil when you simply want to cleanse the air in your kitchen, bedroom, office, or entire home.
Like Lemon oil, doTERRA Lime essential oil comes in handy for cleaning. There are countless ways to use Lime oil for cleaning, whether you want to get rid of a sticky mess, clean your countertops, or purify your hands. Citrus oils are also wonderful at cleaning leather!When you are left with a sticky, goopy, or greasy mess, you can use Lime essential oil to remove grease spots or residue left behind. Simply place a few drops of Lime oil on the spot or a cotton cloth and rub down the area until the residue or spot is gone. At home, to keep your dishes extra clean (and smelling lovely), try ourDIY Dish Soap, which usesLime,Lemon, andCitrus Bliss®essential oil.
Open Road Essential because:
cleans air
freshens water
cleans surfaces
cleans leather
face toner
adds flavor without adding salt
_________________
Would you like to learn more about the use of essential oils to support your health?
The average American household is loaded with toxic chemicals. These chemicals are often found in household cleaning and cosmetic products. But, of all the toxic products in the average household…the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets are among the most potentially harmful.
The chemicals used to make these products are extremely dangerous to our neurological system. Our nervous system (including the brain) operate via chemical messengers (neuro-transmitters). These chemical messengers are damaged and disrupted by the ingredients in these products. Given the nature of these products, they are extremely dangerous due to the fact these toxic ingredients are transferred to our clothing, bed sheets, towels, etc. Basically, we are in contact with these toxic ingredients constantly. Also, when heated these toxic substances are often released into the air and are inhaled.
The following are substances used as ingredients in dryer sheets and fabric softeners that are most concerning (they are often used in untested combinations):
Alpha Terpineol, Pentane and Linalool: This is one of the potentially airborne substances that is very dangerous when inhaled. It has been linked to nervous system damage and respiratory issues.
Benzyl acetate: Has been identified as a potential cause of pancreas cancer
Benzyl alcohol: Can irritate the upper respiratory system. Has been linked to central nervous system disorders, vomiting, nausea, headaches, syncope and dizziness.
Chloroform: This is a well-known carcinogen that is also neurotoxic. It would be released into the air when heated and can cause loss of consciousness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Ethanol: This ingredient is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Has been linked to CNS disorders.
Ethyl Acetate: Also on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste List. Can cause headaches.
Fragrances: These fragrances are composed of several of hundreds of synthetic chemicals that are almost always toxic,
The best way to reduce your exposure to these toxic ingredients is to avoid commercial fabric softeners all together.
My favorite way to use essential oils each day is by diffusing them in a dōTERRA cold-water diffuser. Essential oils offer many benefits when diffused because our sense of smell is one of our most powerful senses. I enjoy diffusing dōTERRA essential oils at work to promote an energizing mood.
“Diffusing essential oils can offer many benefits to you and your family. Diffusing can purify the air in your home, it can maintain emotions, promote healthy airways, and they can minimize the effect of potential seasonal threats. Begin to take advantage of these benefits by purchasing the dōTERRA Aroma Lite Diffuser, Lotus Diffuser, Lumo Diffuser or the Petal Diffuser.”
