Douglas Fir Oil Uses and Benefits

Douglas Fir Oil Product Description

Sourced from evergreen fir trees in New Zealand, Douglas Fir oil possesses a unique chemical composition that gives it a purifying, uplifting, refreshing fragrance. The Douglas Fir is often used in the Christmas tree industry because of its fresh, woody aroma reminiscent of the outdoors. Along with an inviting, refreshing scent, Douglas Fir oil can help purify the skin when applied topically.

Where to Buy Douglas Fir Oil

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To buy your own bottle of doTERRA Douglas Fir, visit our Douglas Fir oil page to learn how to order. As an invasive species of New Zealand that threatens the environment, the Douglas Fir tree provides doTERRA with the opportunity to sustainably and responsibly source Douglas Fir oil from young evergreen trees. By using these trees for essential oil production, doTERRA helps reduce the environmental impact of an invasive species that is taking over the land in New Zealand. When you buy essential oils from doTERRA, you can know that your oil has been responsibly sourced, thoroughly tested, and carefully created. 

Douglas Fir Oil Uses and Benefits

Looking for additional uses for Douglas Fir essential oil? Take a look at these helpful posts about Douglas Fir:

• Essential Cologne 
• Potpourri  

Fun Fact:

The Douglas Fir tree gets its name from David Douglas, a famous Scottish botanist. However, the tree’s scientific name, Pseudotsuga menziesii, was named after Archibald Menzies, one of Douglas’ rival botanists. 

Plant Description

Native to North America, the coniferous Douglas Fir is a large, sturdy species with the potential to grow hundreds of feet tall. While Douglas Fir is a commonplace species in North America, it has become an invasive species in New Zealand because it keeps other native plants from growing in the surrounding soil. The second tallest conifer tree, Douglas Firs are characterized by their fir needles, which are known for their distinct aroma.

Chemistry of Douglas Fir Oil

Main Chemical Components: B-pinene, a-pinene, 3-carvene, sabinene

The chemical makeup of Douglas Fir essential oil is rather unique, because it combines beta-Pinene, a constituent found in Lemon and Lime essential oils, with monoterpenes that are commonly found in wood essential oils. This combination creates a distinct aroma similar to wood essential oils like Frankincense, Juniper Berry, and Cypress, while maintaining a citrus note. By combining these chemical components, the result is a woody, lemon-scented aroma that holds renewing and uplifting properties for the user. 

Sourcing

Though the Douglas Fir is native to North America, it has become an invasive and aggressive species in New Zealand, where it threatens the surrounding landscape. Due to the climate and other environmental factors, the Douglas Fir tree grows 25 times faster in New Zealand than it can in North America, making it difficult to contain. While it is fast-spreading and uncontrollable, this tree causes more serious problems for the landscape in New Zealand. The roots of the Douglas Fir cause the ground around the trees to become barren—making it impossible for other native New Zealand plants to grow. Originally brought to New Zealand for the lumber industry, the Douglas fir is now an environmental threat to the landscape.

Using Douglas Fir trees for essential oil provides a more environmental alternative to simply cutting trees down. Through a responsible sourcing partnership, doTERRA is able to keep these trees from going to waste—making good use of an otherwise invasive species. Working closely with the New Zealand government, doTERRA has provided an environmentally friendly solution to a very serious problem by harvesting Douglas Fir trees for the use of essential oil.

To learn more about how doTERRA sources Douglas Fir oil, watch these videos:

Oils that blend well with Douglas Fir oil

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