7 Ways to Reuse Your Christmas Tree & Boost Health
Don’t Throw Away Your Christmas Tree. Do this instead…
As the festive season winds down, consider repurposing your once-decorated Christmas tree to enhance your well-being and promote sustainability.
Instead of tossing it away, try these seven creative ways to reuse your Christmas tree, bringing a delightful aroma to your home and positively contributing to your health. Boost mood, relieve achy muscles and clear your respiratory system.
Which type of Christmas tree do you have?
Not all Christmas trees are the same, and each variety brings its unique charm to your festive décor. Whether you opted for a classic pine, a resilient spruce, or a fragrant fir, the type of tree you chose not only added visual appeal but also carries specific health benefits.
Pine
The classic pine tree, with its distinctive needle-like leaves, releases a crisp, invigorating scent. Pine essential oils are known for their potential to enhance respiratory function, promoting clearer breathing. The aromatic compounds in pine have mood-boosting effects, making it an ideal choice to combat seasonal blues.
Spruce
A spruce tree is resilient and robust, often associated with feelings of stability and empowerment. Their essential oils can contribute to muscle pain relief, stimulate circulation and detoxify the body when applied topically. Inhaling the scent of spruce can provide a sense of grounding and upliftment.
Fir
The fragrant fir tree, often chosen for its delightful aroma, contributes to emotional well-being. Fir needle essential oil is recognised for its calming effects, promoting feelings of stability and energy. Like other evergreens, fir trees are grounding, empowering individuals to weather emotional storms with resilience.
How to reuse your Christmas tree
Pine needle tea
Collect fresh pine needles from your Christmas tree. Rinse them thoroughly and chop them into small pieces. Steep the chopped needles in hot water for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Strain the tea and sweeten it with honey if desired.
Infused vinegar
Fill a glass jar with pine needles. Heat apple cider vinegar (enough to fill the jar) until it’s warm but not boiling. Pour the warm vinegar over the pine needles in the jar. Allow the mixture to infuse for a few weeks, then strain out the needles. Use the pine-infused vinegar for salad dressings or as a cleaning solution.
Evergreen-scented potpourri
Dry the pine/fir/spruce needles from your Christmas tree. Combine the dried needles with other aromatic herbs like cinnamon sticks, cloves and dried orange peels. Place the mixture in a bowl or a natural wrap to create a natural potpourri.
Infused bath salts
- 1 cup Epsom salts
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup dried fir, pine or spruce needles
- 10 drops of essential oil (such as lavender or eucalyptus)
Combine the Epsom salts and sea salt in a bowl. Grind the dried needles and add them to the salts. Add the essential oil and mix well. Store in a sealed jar. Add a couple of tablespoons to your bath for a relaxing, evergreen-infused soak.
Evergreen room spray
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons dried fir, pine or spruce needles
- 10 drops of essential oil (of your choice)
Boil the water and add the dried needles. Let it simmer for 10 – 15 minutes before straining the liquid. Allow it to cool and then mix in the essential oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Use it to freshen the air in your home with the rejuvenating scent of evergreens.
Steam Inhalation
Add a handful of fresh fir, pine or spruce needles to a bowl. Pour hot water over the needles. Lean over the bowl, covering your head with a towel, and inhale the steam for 5 -10 minutes. This can help clear your respiratory passages and provide a refreshing sensation.
Fragrant drawer sachets
Collate a handful of muslin bags or small cloth squares and fill them with dried fir, pine or spruce needles. Place the sachets in your drawers, wardrobes or other small spaces. The natural fragrance will keep your spaces smelling fresh.
Caution:
Keep out of reach of children. Possible skin sensitivity may occur in some people.
Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Do not ingest.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult with your natural health practitioner before using essential oils.
Maintain the festive spirit beyond Christmas
Your Christmas tree holds the potential for a vibrant afterlife beyond the festive period. By repurposing it creatively, you not only contribute to sustainability but also unlock health benefits through infused teas, aromatic potpourris and soothing bath salts. Embrace the opportunity to make your home fragrant and your well-being a priority as you bid farewell to the holiday season, letting your Christmas tree continue to bring joy in new and meaningful ways.
