Extracted by steam distillation from the needles fresh and from the twigs young of Larix decidua Mill. (larice common or European), the only conifera decidua of the Pinaceae widespread on the Alps europee (2.000-3.000 m), sugli Apennines settentrional and in the Carpathians. The larice is a species pioniera of large importanza ecologic in the forests montane — colonizza the versant after valanghe, incendi and disboscament, costituendo popolament puri luminous with sottobosco ricco. In autunno the leaves aghiformi ingialliscono and cadono, fenomeno insolito among the conifere. The phytochemical profile of the essential oil is dominated from α-pinene (30-40%), β-pinene, limonene and bornyl-acetate, with small amount of δ-3-carene and terpenilene. In aromatherapy it is used as tonic of the respiratory system, expectorant, antisettive environmental and as fragrance evocative of the forests alpine. Condivide with the pine Scots the properties tonificant of the nervous system and the activity antimicrobic for via inalatoria. The fragrance clean and resinous evokes the abetaie of alta elevation. Top note fresh, resinous and alpine.

Alps, Carpathians, Siberia.

Needles and young branches

Steam distillation

• Respiratory: expectorant, useful in case of cough, bronchitis and congestion nasal.
• Antiseptic: purifying for the air of the rooms.
• Muscular: relieves muscle pain and reumatic if diluted in carrier oil.
• Diffuser: fragrance of forest alpine, tonic and cooling.

Blends well with: