Description:
The Fir Balsam originates from the forests of America Fir Balsam native to most of eastern and central Canada. This balsam is commonly known as Balsam Fir, Canada Balsam, Christmas balsam, and Canada turpentine. Native to both Russia and Canada, It is a small to medium-size evergreen tree typically 15–20 meters tall.

Fir balsam essential oil is produced by steam distillation of oleoresin known as Canada balsam.

The reason for using Canada balsam as a mounting medium in making slides for macroscopic objects is that the balsam does not crystallize or granulate on drying, it does not contain benzoic and cinnamic acids and their derivatives and it has a high refractive index as that of glass. Here I would like to make it clear that Fir balsam oil is prepared from balsam oleoresin and Fir needle oil is prepared from the needle (leaves) and twigs. The oleoresin (balsam) is collected by puncturing specialized epithelial secretory cells (vesicle in the bark) of the tree.

The oleoresin has two major fractions: turpentine and rosin. Turpentine is the volatile fraction and rosin is the solid fraction. Essential oil yields 15 to 20% in Canada balsam (oleoresin). The major constituents present in the oil is α-pinene, β-pinene, β-phellandrene, and limonene

Odor profile:
Balsamic, mild Grassy, Fruity aroma

Major Constituents:
β-pinene, α-pinene, β-phellandrene, 3-carene, limonene myrcene, 4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohepten-1-one, camphene, linalool, bornyl acetate, α-terpineol, citronellal, borneol, piperitone, citronellol, methylthymol, citronellyl acetate.

Application:
~ The Fir balsam oil  Canada is used to treat some diseases related to the Nervous system, Respiratory system, Immune system, Circulatory system, and Endocrine system.
~ The oil is also commonly used in air fresheners and household cleansers.

Aromatherapy:
Fir balsam essential oil can be used with Carrier Oil for massage to relieve arthritis, rheumatism, and muscular pains. It is a warming oil which is generally used in a diffuser to cure cough, colds, flu, chest and sinus congestion.