Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, mainly pines. It is composed of terpenes, primarily the monoterpenes alpha- and beta-pinene, with lesser amounts of carene, camphene, dipentene, and terpinolene. Here are some of the uses of turpentine:
-
Solvent: Turpentine is used as a solvent for thinning oil-based paints, for producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry.
-
Flavoring: Distilled turpentine oil is used as a flavoring ingredient in foods and beverages.
-
Cosmetics: Turpentine oil is used in soap and cosmetics.
-
Pain relief: Turpentine oil is applied to the skin for joint pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, and toothaches. When used on the skin, turpentine oil may cause warmth and redness that can help relieve pain in the tissue underneath.
Its important to note that turpentine oil is toxic and should never be ingested.
