Turpentine

Turpentine is a semifluid resin obtained from trees, mainly pines of the genus Pinus. A volatile oil called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine or, colloquially, turps can be extracted by distillation. Turpentine has been described simply as "distilled trees".

Turpentine is sometimes called acquaragia; cf aqua regia.

Table of contents

1 Medicinal uses 2 Industrial uses 3 See also 4 External links

Medicinal uses

Turpentine has been used medically since ancient times.

• Applied externally to the affected areas, turpentine is a highly effective treatment for lice.

• Turpentine can be mixed with animal fat as a primitive chest rub for nasal and throat complaints. Some modern chest rubs still contain some turpentine (e.g., Vick's Vaporub).

• Internal administration of turpentine is no longer common today, though it was once the preferred means of treating intestinal parasites.

See also

• Turpentine substitute

• Gum naval stores: Turpentine and rosin from pine resin