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Hemlock Essential Oil

Also known as Eastern Hemlock or Hemlock Spruce.

I adore the aroma of most conifers, and am particularly drawn to the fresh, crisp, needle aroma of Hemlock Essential Oil.

Aromatically, if you enjoy the aroma of fir and spruce oils, you should be pleased with the aroma of Hemlock Essential Oil. It's especially lovely to work with around Christmas and winter holidays, but its fresh aroma and therapeutic properties makes it wonderful to blend with throughout the year.

As a conifer, it's not surprising that Hemlock Oil is abundant in monoterpenes and also contains about 30-35% esters. Due to its monoterpene content, the oil will be more prone to oxidation. Therapeutically, Hemlock Oil is anti-microbial and is helpful as a decongestant and expectorant.

Emotionally, I personally find Hemlock Essential Oil to be energizing and stimulating when I feel lethargic, but I don't find it to be over stimulating. I find it beneficial to include in diffuser blends intended to help me remain focused, optimistic, calm and balanced.

Botanical Name

Tsuga canadensis / Pinus canadensis

Common Method of Extraction

Steam Distilled

Plant Part Typically Used

Needles and Twigs

Color

Clear

Consistency

Thin

Perfumery Note

Top

Strength of Initial Aroma

Medium

Aromatic Description

Fresh, woody, earthy.

Hemlock Essential Oil Uses

Muscular aches, bronchitis, coughs, colds, flu, anxiety, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Major Constituents

Isobornyl acetate
B-Pinene
Gamma-3-Carene
(+)-Limonene
a-Pinene
See Essential Oil Safety for more complete list of constituents.

[Private Communication: Rondeau, 1999. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 430.]

Safety Information

Tisserand and Young warn that old and oxidized oils should not be used. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 429-430.]

Shelf Life

View Shelf Life Information

Important Information About the Profiles

The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, oil color can vary based on harvesting, distillation and other factors. Profiles for several absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.

General Safety Information

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Essential Oil Book Suggestions

Click on a book's title to view details and read a full review for the book. Visit AromaWeb's Books area to find details about many other essential oil and aromatherapy books.

Own Safety Profiles for 400 Essential Oils and 206 Constituents:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals
Level: Intermediate • Advanced
Authors: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young

The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Also known as "The Fragrant Pharmacy" in the UK.
Level: Beginning • Intermediate
Author: Valerie Ann Worwood

Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, The
Level: Beginning • Intermediate
Author: Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele

The Heart of Aromatherapy
Level: Beginning
Author: Andrea Butje

The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Essential Oils
Level: Beginning • Intermediate • Advanced
Author: Julia Lawless

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