Turpentine, or turpentine oil, is a natural product - the result of distillation of resin (coniferous wood resin) with water vapor. Gum is collected by making several cuts on the bark of a tree. This viscous clear liquid is rich in beneficial substances - in particular, essential oils. Turpentine contains about 18% of it.
Refined turpentine oil was used in medicine many centuries ago - for grinding and preparation of turpentine baths. This substance with a characteristic pungent odor is insoluble in water and forms a thin film on its surface, exerting a direct effect on the skin. Special turpentine bath compositions called “white” or “yellow emulsion” can be purchased at pharmacies and specialized online stores. Turpentine ointment is also sold in the pharmacy: it is available in tubes of 25 or 30 g and in cans of dark glass for 20 or 25 g.
Turpentine-based ointment belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It has a noticeable analgesic (analgesic) effect - mainly due to irritation of the skin, which is a distraction. Turpentine ointment (the instructions explain this) also has an anti-inflammatory effect, providing blood flow and warming up the painful area. She is also an antiseptic, as her main active ingredient, turpentine, is a mixture of essential oils with antimicrobial properties.
Turpentine ointment (the instruction describes the indications for its use) is used for exacerbation of joint diseases and muscle pain - arthralgia, myalgia, rheumatism, as well as radiculitis, neuralgia and neuritis of various nature. Its use in acute and chronic respiratory diseases also brings significant relief. So, turpentine ointment when coughing is applied to the chest (excluding the area of the heart and nipples) and back. For sensitive skin, it can be diluted with any refined oil in a ratio of 2: 1. With a severe cold, the soles of the feet are rubbed with turpentine ointment, after which they put on warm socks. In addition, this tool is used for inhalation: it softens a dry cough and has an expectorant effect.
Turpentine ointment (instructions pay special attention to this!) Is not applied to damaged skin, therefore, its use is prohibited not only with abrasions or cuts, but also with most skin diseases, including allergic nature. It, like other warming ointments, should not be used at elevated body temperature. This remedy is contraindicated in diseases of the liver and kidneys. In addition, turpentine ointment (the instruction mentions this) is not used for patients with increased sensitivity to turpentine oil due to the risk of allergic reactions. If a severe burning sensation or allergy occurs after applying it, it is necessary to remove the remnants of the ointment with a paper towel, wetting it with skin. If necessary, consult a doctor to prescribe antihistamines. If, after applying turpentine ointment, dizziness, palpitations or a drop in blood pressure is noted, you should call an ambulance: these are signs of an individual intolerance to the drug, which are dangerous for the patient’s health.
Turpentine ointment during pregnancy and lactation is also contraindicated, since the corresponding clinical trials have never been conducted, and information on whether it penetrates into breast milk and through the placental barrier is not currently available. It should not be used to treat children, although many parents ignore this recommendation. It’s easy to burn delicate baby skin with this product, so it’s better to use other warming compounds for appropriate treatment in childhood.