Hemlock Essential Oil Canada

I always felt that the western hemlock tree was my spirit sister.  Perhaps it was because tsuga translates as tree mother in Japanese language. It could be that in the fall when the west coast rains softly falls on my head while harvesting wild mushrooms, the prominant aroma wafting in the cold is the tree that reminds me christmas is nearby. Hemlock also reminds me of spring when making green cone syrups and elixirs to spike up my vitamin c intake plus it makes some pretty delicious gelato. Tree hemlock is a feared underdog due to its mis-association with poison hemlock, an invasive and toxic plant of the carrot family that blooms umbels and has a different aroma profile. Perfumers sometimes shy away from working with tree oils but diluted, hemlock unlocks forest floors, pink peppercorn and licorice scented funnel cap mushroom notes. This oil alone is my favorite of all the conifer oils to work with in perfume. It’s less limiting with its profile and more expansive within a composition. Hemlock essential oil is an invitation to work with a conifer that offers so many perfume possibilities.