She is a tough lady with an irrepressible will to survive - the stone pine (Pinus Cembra), also known as the "Queen of the Alps". In the rugged nature of the mountains, it defies storms, snow, sub-zero temperatures and extreme weather conditions. The hardy stone pine can live for up to 500 years or even longer and impresses with a height of up to 25 meters.
Anyone who spends their vacation on an alpine pasture - for example in an alpine hut in the Carinthian Nockberge mountains, on an alpine pasture in East Tyrol, North Tyrol or Vorarlberg - is guaranteed to encounter the Swiss stone pine. The hardy conifer feels particularly at home at around 1500 meters above sea level. With its bushy needles up to eight centimetres long, the stone pine is easy to distinguish from larches, mountain pines and pines.
What makes Swiss stone pine unmistakable, however, is its fragrant, resinous scent, which is particularly noticeable when its wood is used. Whether as furniture, wall coverings, beds or in a traditional Swiss stone pine parlor - the natural scent of Swiss stone pine wood has been providing relaxation and well-being for centuries. The pleasant, calming scent lingers for decades and makes the original Tyrolean stone pine parlor, which is often over a hundred years old, a special experience. The artistic grain of the stone pine wood is also fascinating - a small work of art of nature.
Alpine hut with Swiss stone pine bed
Anyone who has been lucky enough to spend the night in a Swiss stone pine bed in an alpine hut knows the feeling: a deep, restful sleep, accompanied by sweet dreams. It has even been scientifically proven that Swiss stone pine actually has a beneficial effect on sleep. A well-known study conducted by the Joanneum Research Institute in 2002 investigated the effect of Swiss stone pine on people - with astonishing results: People who slept in a bed made of Swiss stone pine recorded a lower heart rate. Up to 3500 fewer heartbeats per night were measured - a noticeable relief for the heart and the entire circulatory system.
The essential oils propolis and limosan, which the Swiss stone pine wood exudes, are responsible for this effect. They promote relaxation, inner peace and, according to a study, even prolong the recovery phases during sleep. When you consider that we spend a third of our lives asleep, it is easy to understand why Swiss stone pine is so highly valued as a natural remedy.
But it's not just the stone pine bed that makes you feel good: A pillow filled with Swiss stone pine shavings, a Swiss stone pine scented lamp or a few drops of Swiss stone pine oil on your pillow can also have a positive effect. Ideal for anyone who wants to take a little piece of mountain vacation home with them.
And that's not all the Swiss stone pine has to offer: A warming stone pine tea after skiing or a stone pine schnapps after a hearty snack on the mountain pasture have a soothing effect on the stomach and give the body a pleasant warmth. A real treat that perfectly rounds off your vacation on the mountain pasture - and lets you feel the power of the Swiss stone pine long after your vacation is over.
Cosmetic line made from conifer oils
The East Tyrolean company Brüder Unterweger in Thal-Assling impressively demonstrates everything that can be made from stone pine. The traditional family business guarantees Swiss stone pine well-being from head to toe - with essential oils and high-quality natural cosmetics. The company founders Ignaz and Johann Unterweger are said to have once said: "Pure essential oil flows through our veins." The company has been producing essential oils since 1886 and still sells them worldwide today.
In the 1970s, the company began producing cosmetics made from Swiss stone pine oil, mountain pine and pine. Today, the cosmetics brand "Unterweger - the brand of nature" comprises a total of 13 high-quality ranges, complemented by room fragrances and sauna oils - all inspired by the power of the Tyrolean mountains.
The company is particularly proud of its own distillery, which has been back in operation at the company site for several years. "We distil our oils ourselves and thus guarantee the authenticity of the products, from the Swiss stone pine tree to the finished Swiss stone pine oil," explains Andrea Fasching, Head of Marketing at the company.
Sustainability is a top priority: The Swiss stone pine trees come exclusively from South Tyrol, East Tyrol and North Tyrol - and are supplied in controlled organic quality. "Respect the soil and protect nature" - the brothers Michael and Stefan Unterweger are the fourth generation to carry on this principle of the founders.
The natural cosmetics are based on the experience of mountain farmers, who knew about the power of stone pine oil, mountain pine and larch long before the wellness trend. Whether as an embrocation for tired muscles or a soothing fragrance in the living room, products made from Swiss stone pine oil offer natural support for well-being and regeneration.
Trees consciously harvested
Fasching does not believe that the ancient tree population could be decimated by the Swiss stone pine boom. "The trees are harvested very consciously and more are reforested each year than grow back."
The Unterweger company has moved closer to its customers with the idea of the "Vitalpinum". The company premises have been transformed into a large adventure garden with various sensory stations for feeling good and experiencing nature. This allows visitors to experience the effects of the medicinal plants and the creation of the products up close in the truest sense of the word (www.vitalpinum.com)
