Fir

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Fir is a plant. People use the shoot and oil for medicine.

Fir is taken by mouth for respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), colds, cough, bronchitis, fever, and sore mouth and throat. It is also taken for muscle and nerve pain, tendency toward infection, and tuberculosis.

Some people apply fir directly to the skin for muscle, nerve, and joint pain. It is also added to bathwater as a treatment for mental illness.

How does it work?

Fir shoot may reduce mucus production in the airways and act as a mild germ-killer. When applied to the skin, the essential oil increases blood flow to the area, causes redness, and creates a sensation of warmth, which can help relieve pain in the tissue underneath.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Colds.
• Cough.
• Bronchitis.
• Fever.
• Sore mouth and throat.
• Nerve and muscle pain.
• Tuberculosis.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Fir might be safe for most people. The potential side effects of fir are not known.

Asthma: Fir might make asthma worse. Avoid use.

Pertussis (whooping cough): Fir might make whooping cough worse. Avoid use.

Extensive skin injuries, acute skin diseases, feverish or infectious diseases, cardiac insufficiency, or extreme muscle tightness (hypertonia): If you have any of these conditions don't put fir on your skin or add it to your bathwater. To do so would be harmful.

The appropriate dose of fir depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for fir. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.