Firs (Abies) are a genus of 48–56 species of evergreen coniferous trees in thefamily Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America,Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. Firs are most closely related to the genus Cedrus (cedar).
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Uses
Firs are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including Chionodes abella (recorded on white fir), autumnal moth, conifer swift (a pest of balsam fir), the engrailed, grey pug, mottled umber, pine beauty and the tortrix moths Cydia illutana (whose caterpillars are recorded to feed on European silver fir cone scales) and C. duplicana (on European silver fir bark around injuries or canker).
Abies spectabilis or Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug.
Benefits
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.
Cautions
Fir might be safe for most people. The potential side effects of fir are not known.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of fir during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
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.
Interactions
None are known.
Other names
Abete Argentato, Abete Bianco, Abeto, Abeto Blanco, Abies alba, Christmastree, Épicéa, Épicéa Commun, Épicéa à Poix, Épinette, Épinette de Norvège, European Silver Fir, Faux Sapin, Fir Tree, Gentil Sapin, Norway Spruce, Picea abies, Piceae Turiones Recentes, Pin Pleureur, Prusse, Sapin Argenté, Sapin Blanc, Sapin du Nord, Sapin Pectiné,Sapin Rouge, Sapinette, Silbertanne, Silver Fir, Silvergran, Spruce, Spruce Fir, Weißtanne, White Fir, Yōroppa-Momi
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-323-fir.aspx?activeingredientid=323&activeingredientname=fir
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fir#Uses_and_ecology