Swiss stone pine
This alpine tree brings feelings of wellbeing
What is the Swiss stone pine?
The Swiss stone pine (also called cembro or Pinus cembra) grows under harsh climatic conditions in the high mountains of the Alps. It produces a lot of resins, which are responsible for the reddish colour of the heartwood.
From cembra cones that are macerated in alcohol for several weeks, a famous alpine specialty is made: cembra schnapps. It is regarded as a traditional remedy for colds and stomach complaints and is used externally for joint pain.
Many people have used cembra pillows: these contain cembra shavings and serve as sleeping pillows.
editorial.facts
- Cembra grows in the high Alps of Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland at an altitude of about 1'500 - 2'400 m above sea level.
- It takes one thousand kilograms of cembra twigs with cones and needles to produce one litre of cembra oil.
- Cembra trees grow up to 40 metres tall and can live up to 1000 years. The oldest known specimen is currently located in the Tux Alps.
- Cembra is one of the most frost-hardy conifer species of the Alps. It tolerates temperatures from -40 to +40 degrees Celsius and heavy snow loads.
- On particularly hot summer days, a so-called blue light can be seen over cembra forests. It is caused by increased production of essential oil. In this way the cembra protects itself from the sun's intense radiation.
How does cembra wood improve sleep quality and stress resilience?
The health-promoting effects of cembra wood are best experienced when sleeping in a bed made of cembra wood. The scent of cembra promotes restorative sleep: the pinosylvin found in cembra has a calming effect and improves resilience to stress.
It accelerates the recovery of the autonomic nervous system and improves sleep quality by lengthening the first sleep cycle and increasing sleep depth. Studies have shown that heart rate decreases when sleeping in a cembra wood bed. Furnishing with cembra wood is associated with a reduction in heart rate in situations of both physical and mental stress.
What antibacterial and breathing-supporting properties does Swiss stone pine have?
A strong antibacterial effect of Swiss stone pine wood was demonstrated in a study at the University of Salzburg in Austria. Cembra is used for bronchitis, colds and respiratory complaints.
In addition, it can inhibit the growth of mould and thus protect against potential mould infestation in the home.
Moreover, the scent of cembra wood contributes to stabilising circulation and preventing weather sensitivity, promotes creativity, a good mood and general wellbeing.
Wie wenden Sie Arve heute an?
What is cembra essential oil used for?
The valuable cembra essential oil is obtained from the wood residues after tree felling. The cembra leftovers remaining after the logs are transported — branches, needles, cones and bark — are crushed shortly before distillation and then treated for several hours with warm steam. This process releases the essential oil from the resin ducts.
Valuable constituents such as pinosylvin, pinene, cineole, limonene, biocides and antibacterial substances are preserved. The cembra essential oil reduces inflammation, loosens mucus, warms and promotes circulation. Therefore cembra oil is often added to massage oils for athletes to relieve muscle soreness and ease muscle tension.
For colds and respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or sinusitis, inhalations with cembra oil provide rapid relief and deepen breathing.
Can cembra oil influence mental performance and mood?
A few drops of cembra oil in the bathwater have both a stimulating and a relaxing effect. The essential oil of cembra enhances concentration. It stimulates the body's dopamine production and thus speeds up the formation of 'feel-good' hormones, dispels lethargy, promotes emotional balance after a tiring day or illness and increases personal resilience.
Alpine power at home: best tips for using cembra and cembra oil
- For a full bath you need no more than 5 to 10 drops of cembra essential oil. It should always be mixed with cream. This creates an emulsifying effect so the essential oil can mix with the bathwater. At the same time the cembra oil is inhaled, which helps against flu, colds and breathing difficulties.
- To ease breathing and expectoration or to help falling asleep, mix some sea salt with a few drops of cembra oil and inhale over a bowl with a towel over your head.
- For immediate inhalation on the go, put one drop of cembra oil on a handkerchief.
- 2 to 3 drops of cembra essential oil are sufficient for use in a fragrance lamp, and even less when combining essential oils into a blend.
- For a massage, pure cembra oil should never be applied undiluted as it can irritate the skin. Mix it with a skin-friendly carrier oil. Jojoba or almond oil are best suited.
- Place cembra shavings in the wardrobe and in fruit bowls. They repel moths, mosquitoes, dust mites, insects and fruit flies and neutralise odours. A bug spray can be made from cembra, tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus oils. You can also drop a few drops of cembra oil onto your vacuum cleaner filter.
- Washes or compresses with boiled water and 10 to 20 drops of cembra oil help with nerve pain. The circulation-promoting and soothing effect of such compresses can also be used to prevent muscle soreness or to relieve tension.
- A few drops of cembra oil on the pillow, duvet or in an aroma lamp provide a pleasant and healthy sleep. You can also use a cembra pillow. The scent of cembra also wards off annoying mosquitoes.
- A cembra pillow helps with restlessness, high blood pressure and sleep disorders. If the scent of the pillow fades, leave it outside in the fresh air for a few hours or wrap it in a damp cloth for a few hours.
- To strengthen the immune system, some manufacturers recommend internal use of cembra oil. For this, one drop of organic cembra oil is mixed with a teaspoon of honey and taken either neat or dissolved in lukewarm tea. Consult your doctor before ingestion.
- Choose organic essential oils and test compatibility before use on the lower inner forearm. If no significant redness appears within 24 hours, cembra oil can be used.
- Use in infants, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women is not recommended as a precaution.
The scent of cembra improves indoor climate, has a positive effect on feelings and general wellbeing and is a comfort for strained airways. Try it for yourself!
