Turpentine

Turpentine is a fluid obtained by distillation from resin obtained from trees, mainly various species of pine (Pinus). It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. Alternative names are wood turpentine, spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine and gum turpentine. It is also known colloquially as just "turps", although this more often refers to turpentine substitute (or mineral turpentine).

Related Topics:
Distillation - Resin - Tree - Pine - Terpene - Pinene - Turpentine substitute

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Important pines for turpentine production include:

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• Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster
• Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis
• Masson's Pine Pinus massoniana
• Sumatran Pine Pinus merkusii
• Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris
• Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda
• Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa

although one of the earliest sources is thought to be the Terebinth Pistacia terebinthus or turpentine tree, a Mediterranean tree related to the pistachio.

Related Topics:
Terebinth - Mediterranean - Pistachio

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Turpentine: Medicinal uses ►