Some associate this phrase with technology and paint. Others - with natural varnishes and repair of premises. So still, what is turpentine gum? This concept also has biological, and medical significance and purpose. And also traditional healers and some official doctors treat gum with turpentine for various ailments and successfully use the drug as a prophylaxis.
Turpentine tree
In the Mediterranean countries, a turpentine tree (a genus of pistachios) grows with small greenish-colored flowers and reddish fruits. But not only its fruits, it became famous. If an incision is made on its trunk, a resinous substance is released, greenish and pleasantly smelling. It is called Cypriot, or Chios, turpentine. The resin of the tree is close in properties to turpentine, therefore the tree is also called turpentine.
Coniferous turpentine and resin
In our latitudes, where traditionally many conifers grow, turpentine is made from gum turpentine. Zhivitsa is the same resinous discharge from the trunks, only conifers. Gum turpentine (or turpentine oil) is a volatile substance. It is it that is carried in hot season along coniferous forests in pairs of terpenes, giving these arrays a characteristic aroma. However, turpentine gum and gum are different in composition. The second substance also contains resinous acids, rosin, water and impurities.
How to get it?
In modern industry, this substance is obtained in various ways. This is a product of driving spruce (pine, cedar, fir) fresh resin, wood, needles. Extraction is extracted with organic solvents from wood stumps and trunks. Sulphate - is formed as a by-product in wood boiling and pulp production.
Healing properties
Gum turpentine in ancient times was considered almost a panacea for all diseases. Some treatises on medicine even said that he heals any ailment, only so that it is not chronic (no more than 3 years). It certainly looks like an exaggeration. But modern science has proved that nevertheless purified turpentine has a host of useful properties that affect a wide spectrum of the entire human body. And the therapeutic effects are determined by the presence of terpenes (alpha and beta pinenes), which are abundant there. The substance is able to exert an activating effect on the metabolism, normalize blood pressure, the work of the heart and blood vessels. By the way, it was noticed that in reasonable doses, turpentine has practically no contraindications.
Turpentine gum. Application
- In essence, this substance can be considered essential oil, which is obtained from various trees (their parts) of the pine family. The historical tradition of its use for medicinal purposes goes back thousands of years. So, the Sumerians, for example, used turpentine oil to stop bleeding and heal wounds. The Egyptians and the ancient Greeks were given as a medicine to increase the general tone and immunity of the body. The Chinese treated bronchitis, toothache, dermatitis. Hippocrates and Galen prescribed it for genitourinary infections and lung diseases, as an external means for healing and accelerating the recovery process.
- It has been proven that with regular inhalation procedures with this drug, the mucous membrane is irritated and its secretory functions are stimulated, sputum arising from lung diseases is diluted (it was not for nothing that turpentine was considered almost a panacea for starting tuberculosis).
- For arthritis, gout, radiculitis and osteochondrosis, turpentine turpentine is also used. The use is due to the fact that it has an irritating and at the same time anti-inflammatory effect (this is recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine).
- Recently, turpentine baths (the so-called Zalmanov baths) have become very popular . They help relieve stress caused by the high speeds of modern life. It is proved that such procedures, carried out regularly, increase the general tone of the body, improve performance, strengthen joints and regenerate skin. There are white and yellow turpentine baths, depending on the consistency of the substance.
- Gum turpentine is also used in the production of substances such as camphor, aromatic substances, pine oil, insecticides, terpinghydrate. It is used as a solvent ingredient for varnishes and paints, some enamels.
A spoon of tar
But not everything is as rosy as it would seem at first glance. And the use of this substance has its negative aspects. First, you should remember, before finding out where to buy gum turpentine, that it is a fairly toxic and concentrated substance. And it is capable, especially when applied topically in treatment, to cause an allergic reaction and even chemical and biological burns. And with prolonged use, it is not far from benign tumors. Be careful with inhalations: they can cause poisoning and kidney failure in large quantities. And turpentine injections, which until recently have been widely used in the fight against varicose veins and furunculosis, can cause an abscess.
Where to buy gum turpentine?
Today, buying this substance for various purposes is not difficult. Just go to the Internet, and many shops will offer you their services directly with home delivery. As before, it can also be purchased in construction stores and pharmacies.