Fir, Balsam Absolute
Details
- Botanical Name: Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.
- Origin: Canada
- Process: Solvent Extracted Absolute
- Plant Part: Needles
- Cultivation: Wild Grown
- Use: Natural Perfumery. Always dilute
- Note: Middle to Base Note, Excellent Fixative
- Aroma Family: Balsamic
- Aroma: Sweet, rich, warm, fruity, jam-like, intensely balsamic aroma with a coumarin-like undertone of excellent tenacity; the juicy-fresh smell of recently harvested young conifer trees.
- Contraindications: None known.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Overview
Wild Grown Balsam Fir Absolute
The exquisite aroma of our Balsam Fir Absolute surely embodies the restorative effects that can only be experienced when spending time within the realm of forests.1,2 It is sweet, rich, warm, fruity, jam-like, and intensely balsamic with a coumarin-like undertone of excellent tenacity – exactly like the juicy-fresh smell of recently harvested young conifer trees. When used in low dilution, Balsam Fir Absolute imparts a fresh, natural forest fragrance to a vast array of perfume compositions.
The needles and small branches of the stately Abies balsamea conifers found in eastern Canada are harvested for extraction of Balsam Fir Absolute. If you already appreciate the ascendancy of needle oils, with their buoyant and airy terpenes, you will be undone by the evergreen embrace of a thousand trees’ collective olfactory output - this species' greatest gift, and no wrapping paper!
PLEASE NOTE: Balsam Fir Absolute is not recommended for aromatherapy; it is intended for use in perfumery only. If you are interested in using Balsam Fir for aromatherapy applications, please see our high-quality Balsam Fir essential oils that we offer.
For information regarding the use of Balsam Fir Absolute in natural perfumery, please see:
- Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Steffen Arctander, 1960, pp. 246-7.
- Essence and Alchemy – A Book of Perfume, Mandy Aftel, 2001, p. 82.
Aromatic Profile: Sweet, rich, warm, fruity, jam-like, intensely balsamic aroma with a coumarin-like undertone of excellent tenacity; the juicy-fresh smell of recently harvested young conifer trees.
Appearance: Dark green/brown, very thick (viscous) material that is nearly solid at room temperature. Will require special use instructions to blend.
Use: Natural Perfumery.
Blending Suggestions: Essential Oils, Absolutes and CO2 extracts are highly concentrated. For safety reasons, they must be diluted before use – this is standard protocol for aromatherapy and perfumery purposes. For how much to dilute, please see Dilution Solutions. This product is soluble in both fixed (carrier) oils and 190 proof alcohol; not soluble in water. For guidance on how to incorporate this product into the carrier of your choice, please see our FAQs section.
For a pre-blended and easy to use dilution of this oil, please see our Balsam Fir Absolute – 10%.
Blends Well With: Ambrette, Balsam of Peru, Beeswax, Bergamot, Black Currant Bud, Boronia, Carnation, Cassie, Cinnamon, Cistus, Clary Sage, Clove, Cypress (Blue), Fenugreek, Fir (Douglas), Geranium, Hay, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Labdanum, Lavandin, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Mimosa, Narcissus, Oakmoss, Opopanax, Orris, Patchouli, Pine, Rosemary (Verbenone), Sandalwood, Spruce, Tagetes, Thyme, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver, Yuzu. "Additions far below one percent in the perfume oil are often sufficient to introduce the wanted “naturalness” to a pine fragrance, and much smaller concentrations can be used to obtain warm and “special effects” in many other perfume types."3
Safety Considerations: No information found. Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
1 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. Fragrance and Wellbeing – Plant Aromatics and Their Influence on the Psyche, 2014, pp. 199-200.
2 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 247.
The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.
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Customer Reviews for Fir, Balsam Absolute
- Isn't this batch smokey a bit? Review by BB
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Rating I smell woody and smokey rather than jammy tone. Is this the same one as the sample provided in 10%? Maybe my nose's fault. Still it's a good stuff.(Posted on 8/6/2023)
- heating Review by Justin
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Rating Those who are having a difficult time getting this stuff to become easier to use, I recently stumbled upon a very easy method that was recommended by a perfumer doing an instructional video on Youtube. All you do is take your coffeemaker, remove the coffee pot and turn it on. Then just let the hot plate warm up and set the container with the material on top. Give it about 5-6 minutes and it should be mobile enough to use or pour into a separate container for dilution.(Posted on 2/28/2021)
- Amazing! Review by Green Man
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Rating I love this one! Reminds me of Christmas candles and holiday wreaths. It's VERY sweet and has great tenacity. Super tricky to work with as it is basically solid, and one of the stickiest absolutes I've ever seen. Takes some time, but diluting with pure 190 proof alcohol to 20% works great, is still super potent, and isn't overly sticky on the skin.(Posted on 8/23/2020)
- Perfct Review by Jolie
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Rating I had gotten the 10% dilution of the balsamic fir absolute and absolutely adored it but it is an absolute. So I thought why not try the EO because that would be something more suitable to putting it next to the body. It is absolutely perfect. Much more subtle with all the same qualities of the absolute. Less a food aroma but still surreal , dry down is delicate. I am very happy.(Posted on 5/7/2019)
- Blending Review by Tod
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Rating For those that have trouble blending, I gently heated both the balsam and the carrier (FCO) on a hotplate. Poured the balsam into the carrier and shook. Had no problems.(Posted on 1/28/2019)
- Heating and blending Review by Justin
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Rating Figured I would add this as well. Don't believe anyone who says they were able to heat this up using a warm water bath. Unless you can get the water up to several hundred degrees for a sustained period of time, this stuff is not going to soften up enough to use in a blend. I know this from experience. I even used a double-boiler method and had the bottle of pure absolute sitting directly over boiling water for over an hour and it did nothing. The only thing that works is to put a few drops of alcohol over the top, shake the bottle and allow it to sit. The top portion of the absolute will almost immediately liquefy enough to use in a blend.(Posted on 9/30/2017)
- Christmas Review by Justin
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Rating This is just spectacular! Every time I smell it, I feel like its Christmas time up in the mountains somewhere. By far one of my all time favorite oils. I'm only dinging it one star because this now comes in a pouch instead of a vial, so it's much more difficult to work with.(Posted on 8/12/2016)
- Fantastic lasting fragrance Review by CR
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Rating I bought this on a whim. I mixed a dab of it with a sample vial of palo santo and I was in love. Had to order a larger quantity. This combination works wonders for me. I find this blend very calming yet stimulating. An easy bonus, the palo santo eo just melts the stiff balsam fir absolute into it over time. Just add a dab or balsam fir abs., a measure of palo santo eo, and shake the vessel periodically. So far, it plays nicely with my skin so I won't be diluting this. It's too incredible. Thanks Eden!(Posted on 5/6/2016)
- When compared to the essential oil. Review by Cananga odorata
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Rating This absolute has the same character of the steam distilled version, but it's free from the harsh notes and is much sweeter, definitely superior. The only disadvantage is that unlike the essential oil, it's very thick like wax and requires preparation before use, but luckily you can try the pre-blended version of this absolute.(Posted on 4/19/2016)
- Excellent! Review by Petra
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Rating I am so happy I got a sample of this amazing fir balsam! Thank you. I never knew some forest smell can be so realistic and so lovely. I highly recommend it.(Posted on 4/9/2016)
- A gorgeous addition to most natural perfumes. Review by JR
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Rating Used as a fixative that lends a jammy sweetness and true green forest note. Traces bolster sweet floral notes like ylang, neroli, and jasmine. Helps to tackdown those volatile top note of Douglas Fir EO, Spruce EO, and Pine EO. Marries well will all citrus and adds a little tang to oils and absolutes of Copaiba, Peru, Guaicwood, and Vanilla. Pairs perfectly with Aglaia.(Posted on 2/19/2013)
- Like being in a forest of Christmas trees. Review by Intoxicating!
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Rating I was looking for a way of infusing the intoxicating, sweet aroma of walking in a forest of fir trees and found it with this Fir Balsam Absolute. Last spring I made spruce tip infused oil and it was swoon-worthy so I wanted to be able to reproduce that essential sweetness in a blend of EOs/absolutes. I have many fir, pine, cedar EOs and none came close. The description of this absolute sounded like it just might do the trick. Yeah! It's perfect.(Posted on 2/18/2013)
- Fir Balsam Abs Review by Melissa
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Rating I recently used the Fir Balsam Abs in a jasmine perfume blend. The undiluted version is thick but I didn't have a problem gently heating it in a water bath. The 1/4 oz bottle is conveniently shorter and wider than those used by some other companies, so it was easier to access the warmed material. It blended beautifully with the jasmine, mirroring and deepening the sweetness and adding a satisfying freshness.(Posted on 2/18/2013)
