GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Spruce Black
Picea mariana
Chemotype: bornyl acetate / pinene type
- PLANT PART
- needles and twigs
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 70 / 100
- Note layer
- top
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- No restriction cited
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No phototoxic restriction was identified in the reviewed black spruce sources.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateAromaWeb's safety summary for black spruce advises avoiding oxidized oil.
- minorThe NHR specification classifies the oil with H317 for allergic skin reaction potential.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This generic black spruce record is anchored to a public NHR specification and matching Canadian COA for Picea mariana leaf oil. The profile is ester-and-monoterpene dominant, with bornyl acetate, alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, and delta-3-carene forming the core of the oil.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bornyl acetate | 19.02% | 12–35% | monoterpene ester | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Product Specification and Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20200309164922e_Spruce_Black_Spec.pdf (Bornyl acetate 12.00-35.00%); https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Bornyl acetate 19.02%) |
| alpha-Pinene | 20.23% | 12–22% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Product Specification and Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20200309164922e_Spruce_Black_Spec.pdf (Alpha pinene 12.00-22.00%); https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Alpha pinene 20.23%) |
| Camphene | 15.16% | 10–25% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Product Specification and Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20200309164922e_Spruce_Black_Spec.pdf (Camphene 10.00-25.00%); https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Camphene 15.16%) |
| beta-Pinene | 7.47% | 7.47–7.47% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Beta Pinene 7.47%) |
| delta-3-Carene | 9.41% | 9.41–9.41% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Delta 3-carene 9.41%) |
| Limonene | 3.58% | 3.58–3.58% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceNHR Organic Oils Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf (Limonene 3.58%) |
Profile source: NHR Organic Oils Product Specification and Certificate of Analysis for Organic Black Spruce Essential Oil (Picea mariana); O&3 U.K. Limited Certificate of Conformity with IFRA Standards for Spruce Black Essential Oil K0435; AromaWeb Black Spruce Essential Oil profile · https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20200309164922e_Spruce_Black_Spec.pdf ; https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Spruce%20Black%20CofA%20191119-2.pdf ; https://files.plytix.com/api/v1.1/rn/public_files/pim/assets/96/f0/5c/64/645cf096b0a90000019bdc9c/texts/f4/51/ea/67/67ea51f47b44f06ee1fc3da0/IFRA%20Statement%20-%20Spruce%20Black%20Essential%20Oil-2.pdf/K0435ifrastatement.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/black-spruce-essential-oil.php
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy to support respiratory comfort
- reported to support an uplifted, energized, grounded mood when diffused
- used in massage blends for muscular comfort after activity
- traditionally associated with a fresh, forest-like, restorative atmosphere
- used in perfumery for its clean, coniferous, balsamic facet
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- The oil-level `max_dermal_pct` is set to 100 because the reviewed IFRA certificate lists Category 5A body lotions and oils as not limited rather than assigning a narrower leave-on cap.
- Odor intensity 70 is an archive normalization of AromaWeb's qualitative 'Medium - Strong' initial aroma for black spruce.
- No public source reviewed in this pass published direct volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for black spruce essential oil.