Pine Needle Oil
Scientific Name(s): Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D. Don) G. Don, Pinus densiflora Sieb. Et Zucc., Pinus sylvestris L.
Common Name(s): Pine needle oil
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 22, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Medical literature documents antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, and wound-healing pharmacological activities for pine needle oil. However, clinical studies in support of these recommendations are limited.
Dosing
Pine needle oil is available commercially in many products. It is marketed for numerous health conditions and for aromatherapy use. Pine needle tea is also marketed as an overall panacea.
Contraindications
Avoid use with hypersensitivity to any of the components of pine needle oil.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use due to documented adverse effects.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Limited clinical data are available. Tolerability of a topical preparation with pine needle oil as an ingredient was excellent. Adverse effects included hypersensitivity reactions of the skin and mucous membranes as well as cough. Allergic contact dermatitis from various pine needle oil fragrance components has also been documented.
Toxicology
Information is lacking.
Scientific Family
- Pinaceae
Botany
The Pinaceae family includes more than 250 species mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and in subtropical and tropical portions of Central America and Asia.Ioannou 2014, Kurose 2007, Yu 2004 Many species can grow to 30 m tall or more in height as sturdy trees. The evergreen needles, up to 12 cm in length, contain resin, and the pollen cones are conical and elongate and usually appear in the spring. Soft pines have 1 fibrovascular bundle for structural support, with 5 needles per bundle. However, hard pines have 2 fibrovascular bundles with 2 to 5 needles per bundle.Ioannou 2014
History
In China and Korea, pine needles are used to promote health and are consumed as food and dietary supplements.Kim 2010, Kurose 2007, Yu 2004 A 2004 economic study documents consumption of pine needles in Korea as 1,000 tons per year. Pine-based commercial products are found in beverages, candy, tea, and wine.Yu 2004 In China and Korea, pine needles are used as herbal medicine and in tea for their nutritional and pharmaceutical effects.Ka 2005, Zeng 2012 In China, Japan, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Lapland, pine needle extract is used to treat various skin ailments, including burns.Clark 2014 Pine needle oils are commercially used as ingredients in several types of soaps, perfumes, and deodorants.Ka 2005, Kurose 2007
Chemistry
Chemical analysis of pine needles from 46 pine species revealed more than 190 constituents. Nearly every sample contained monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes. The monoterpene hydrocarbons alpha- and beta-pinene and the sesquiterpene germacrene D are the dominant constituents.Ioannou 2014, Kurose 2007 A mixture of piperidine alkaloids from spruce needles (Picea abies) have confirmed teratogenic activity.Tawara 1993
Uses and Pharmacology
Limited clinical studies are available. However, the literature documents antibacterial,Feng 2010, Kamin 2007,
