Douglas Fir Materia Medica

Douglas-fir was used medicinally for centuries by North American Indian tribes and early settlers but is little used by modern herbalists. An antiseptic resin, or pitch, can be extracted from the trunk that can be used as an application to treat cuts, burns, sores, wounds and other skin disorders. A poultice prepared from the resin was once used to treat bone injuries and dislocations. The resin and bud tips were chewed to ameliorate mouth sores or a sore throat.

Douglas-fir essential oil is not one of the more commonly used oils in aromatherapy. It’s antiseptic, anticatarrhal, anti-rheumatic, antitussive, sedative and tonic properties are most noted and considered to be of potential value in the treatment of the following symptoms: anxiety; nervous tension; circulatory weakness; fever; colds; flu; respiratory weakness, infections, and/or catarrh; cough; asthma; bronchitis; joint weakness; rheumatic joint complaints; muscle soreness; rheumatism; wounds.

Download this chapter to learn more about DOUGLAS-FIR— Pseudotsuga menziesii.