It takes eight hundred kilograms of pine branches to produce two kilograms of etheric oil. The product is accordingly highly prized. Invigorating, refreshing, regenerative – the precious mountain pine oil is used not only as a natural active ingredient in fitness and beauty products, but nowadays is also an important healing factor in the spa therapy of Bad Reichenhall. The production of mountain pine oil can be experienced at St. Ulrich am Pillersee, where a company by the name of Mack operates the world’s oldest mountain pine oil distillery. For over 150 years it has processed not only mountain pine, but also silver fir, flowering meadow hay and arnica from the high mountains of the Tyrol into high-quality care products.

Caring natural products and brandies
As seductively aromatic and fine as the natural care agents are, manufacturing them entails hard work from harvest to finished product. The distilling of pine oil can be watched during an informative guided tour. There is also a fifteen-minute film to watch. The company’s own museum also exhibits pictures and tools from then and now. This piques interest in the boutique, where the whole range of natural products is offered for sale with expert advice. Bodycare from head to foot, herb baths, herbal and fruit teas, as well as herb sweets and the excellent brandies in the "Tyrolean Schnapps Town" prove that the right herbs are grown not only for many aches and pains, but also for the finer pleasures of life.