Abies alba

Botanical

What is it

Abies alba (silver fir) is a European coniferous tree. Essential oils, needles, and bark extracts have been used in traditional European herbal medicine and appear in a small number of supplements and topical preparations.

How it works

Silver fir contains monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene), polyphenols, and lignans. Preclinical studies have explored anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. Some research has examined branch extracts standardized to polyphenols (e.g., AbigenolPLUS) for metabolic and cardiovascular markers.

Dosage

No standardized supplement dose. Some clinical work has used 100-300 mg/day of standardized branch extract.

When and how to take it

No formal timing guidance.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Branch or needle extract

Standardized supplement format.

Polyphenol absorption moderate

Essential oil

Common European traditional preparation.

For aromatic and topical use; do not ingest neat

Safety

Limited published human safety data. Essential oils can cause skin sensitization and should not be ingested undiluted.

Who should be cautious

Avoid concentrated extracts and essential oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding without medical guidance.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported in available literature.

Frequently asked questions

What is silver fir extract used for?⌄

Traditional European herbal use for respiratory and inflammatory complaints. Some standardized extracts have been studied for metabolic markers.

Is it safe?⌄

Generally tolerable at typical supplement doses. Essential oils require dilution and should not be ingested undiluted.

References

Abies alba on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Abies alba on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Abies alba (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Abies alba with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.