Blue spruce essential oil (Picea pungens) is less common in aromatherapy than black spruce (Picea mariana).
How do the two oils differ? Blue spruce has a lighter scent and sharper top note than black spruce’s deeper, smoother, earthier scent, according to Rocky Mountain Oils. Both oils have many aromatherapy benefits, though black spruce offers more versatility for blending.
Basic Blue Spruce Facts
Plant family: Pinaceae
Production: Steam distilled from needles and twigs of the blue spruce tree, which is native to the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. Depending on where the trees grow, the oil from may be called Idaho blue spruce, Colorado blue spruce, or Canadian blue spruce, or have another geographic designator.
Aroma: Bright, woody, earthy, and slightly camphor-like, according to Aromaweb.
Perfume/Aromatic note: Top
Is blue spruce safe to use during pregnancy? Consult a professional. Aromaweb recommends avoiding the oil during pregnancy and nursing, based on the oil’s chemical composition and limited available research and safety information.
Is blue spruce essential oil safe for children? Consult a professional.
Main components:
- alpha-pinene
- beta-pinene
- bornyl acetate
- camphene
- delta 3 carene
- limonene
Source: Various GC/MS reports, reported by Aromaweb.
Blue Spruce Aromatherapy Benefits
Aromaweb: Use blue spruce in blends to help support focus and balance emotions.
Gya Labs: Blue spruce instills a sense of tranquility and promotes a peaceful atmosphere, Great for relaxation and meditation.
Oshadhi: Blue spruce has a high vibration that is wonderfully uplifting. Use the oil in an aromatherapy diffuser, pass the oil through your aura, or dilute the oil and apply it to skin over the kidneys and adrenal glands.
White Sage Landing: Colorado blue spruce essential may help build emotional confidence and courage, release old emotional patterns, enhance feelings of security, and create a sense of self trust and inner peace. The oil may also improve memory and release mental stress.
Young Living: Idaho blue spruce soothes tired muscles and has a grounding aroma that may enhance thoughtful introspection and inspire spiritual connection.
Working with Unusual Oils: Blue spruce is a joyful, emotionally uplifting essential oil useful for cleansing and removing blockages. The oil may help relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can also use the oil for respiratory issues, especially coughs and colds, and to help relieve pain.
Blue Spruce Essential Oil Uses and Blends
Pain-Relief Gel
- 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon arnica oil
- 6 drops plai essential oil
- 5 drops blue spruce essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops clary sage essential oil
Blend all the ingredients in a small glass container. Use the gel as needed on painful areas.
Work Motivation Diffuser Blend
- 1 drop blue spruce
- 1 drop plai essential oil
- 1 or 2 drops juniper essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil (optional)
Source: Working with Unusual Oils
Respiratory Support Inhaler
Add the following essential oils to the cotton insert of an aromatherapy inhaler:
- 5 drops blue spruce
- 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Use as needed to promote easy, calm, deep breathing.
Massage Blend for Tired, Sore Muscles
- 5 drops blue spruce
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Relaxing Massage Blend
- 5 drops blue spruce
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops marjoram essential oil
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Calming and Grounding Diffuser Blend
- 3 drops blue spruce
- 2 drops frankincense essential oil
- 1 drop ylang ylang essential oil
Emotional Support Blend
- 3 drops blue spruce
- 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 3 drops bergamot essential oil
- 2 teaspoons carrier oil
Apply to pulse points for emotional support.
Note: To make a convenient roll-on, use a 10ml roller bottle. Source: Aroma Studies
Winter Holiday Diffuser Blend
- 3 drops blue spruce
- 3 drops pine essential oil
- 3 drops bergamot essential oil
Photo Credit: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons