For many years, Turpentine Essential Oil has been widely recognised for its ability to ease body pains like muscular aches, arthritic discomfort and sprains. More recently, its benefits are also being linked with decreasing feelings of stress and relieving regular cold and flu-like symptoms – even helping to keep nasty insects at bay.
But what exactly is Turpentine Essential Oil and how does this highly potent liquid lend itself to modern day health and wellness? In this blog, we dive into Turpentine and uncover its inner secrets - like the constituents and benefits of Turpentine, what is it used for and how safe application can help ward off everything from flu bugs to flying insects!
What is Turpentine Essential Oil (α‑Pinene, β‑Pinene)?
You will have likely heard of Turpentine – if not as a pure and natural essential oil, as a home DIY product.
It's true, many people associate Turpentine with paint thinners or solvents, and their immediate thought when they hear it’s also used in wellness is: “How can something I’d use to clean a paintbrush be safe for my body?”.
It’s a valid point. Both products do come from the same source - the resin of pine trees - but they couldn't be more different:
- Industrial Turpentine (also known as mineral turpentine) is a chemical-grade solvent with impurities and additives - and therefore, not safe for health applications.
- Turpentine Essential Oil is steam-distilled from the resin of Pinus pinaster pine trees and produced to therapeutic-grade standards, making it safe for aromatherapyapplications (particularly respiratory and muscular support).
So, while the word Turpentine might sound off-putting, Turpentine Essential Oil is actually very different to the industrial solvent you're thinking of. And there are plenty of health benefits to Turpentine Oil when it’s used safely. What’s more, it comes with a characteristically camphoraceous, intense, spicy-dry and earthy essence you can’t help but fall for!
Turpentine Oil Health Benefits: Respiratory, Topical, Industrial
So, what is in Turpentine Oil that makes it great for health and wellness?
Turpentine Oil contains three main constituents: α‑Pinene (70-85%), β‑Pinene (11-20%) and limonene (1-7%), plus many other components in smaller amounts. Collectively, they are responsible for its potency, and bring several therapeutic properties to Turpentine Oil:
- α‑Pinene – Known for its anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and antimicrobial effects.
- β‑Pinene – Offers antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Limonene – Recognised for its uplifting aroma, antioxidant, and mild antibacterial properties.
Thanks to these natural properties, Turpentine Essential Oil has become a common ingredient in many formulations like decongestant chest rubs, pain relief balms and muscle lotions. Others prefer to appreciate the benefits of Turpentine Oil on its own (after safe dilution in a Carrier Oil).
Here’s some of those Turpentine Essential Oil benefits in more detail:
Benefits of Turpentine Essential Oil for Medicinal Use
- Turpentine Essential Oil acts as a natural pain reliever and because of this, many have found it to be an effective remedy for symptoms of arthritis, joint aches, sprains and muscle fatigue.
- When diffused and inhaled, it has also been seen to enhance breathing by working to reduce congestion in the respiratory tract.
- Turpentine is also known to be an effective insect repellent, and it used as a common ingredient in many natural insect repellent formulations.
Benefits of Turpentine Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
- When used in aromatherapy, Turpentine Essential Oil is known to help relieve feelings of tension and stress.
- The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties within Turpentine Oil can also help calm the central nervous system and body.
- For these reasons, many people like adding Turpentine Oil to epsom salt and adding to a warm bath to promote relaxation and tranquillity or diluting it with a Carrier Oil and applying it topically through massage.
Benefits of Turpentine Essential Oil for Cleaning
- Due to its high potency, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, Turpentine Essential Oil has been seen to make an effective natural cleaning agent (it is often found in store-bought natural cleaning formulations).
- The strong pine aroma of Turpentine Oil also helps neutralise odours and leaves behind a fresh, invigorating scent.
Traditional and Modern Uses of Turpentine Essential Oil
What is Turpentine Oil used for? Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties have been recognised since ancient times, with the Greeks and Romans using turpentine oil to ease respiratory issues and rheumatic pain. While it’s still used today for similar purposes - typically in topical balms or diffused for respiratory support - it’s also found in natural insect repellents and household cleaning products, thanks to its strong scent and solvent-like action.
Using Turpentine Essential Oil for Pain, Sprains and Sore Muscles
- One of the most common and traditional Turpentine Oil benefits is its ability to help relieve pain.
- For this reason, it is a popular choice for those experiencing severe pain, such as muscle aches, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, nerve pain and joint aches.
Using Turpentine Essential Oil for Colds and Coughs
- When diffused and inhaled, the anti-inflammatory and decongesting properties within Turpentine Essential Oil work to clear the respiratory tract.
- Because of this, it may be an effective natural remedy for those experiencing common cold and flu-like symptoms such as headaches, congestion and coughing.
Using Turpentine Essential Oil for Insects
- Due to its powerful aroma, one of the most popular benefits of Turpentine Oil is its ability to repel insects naturally.
- As such, Turpentine Oil has long been used as an ingredient in many natural insect repellent formulations, while others prefer using it with a carrier oil to create their own topical solution for scaring away critters.
How to Use Turpentine Oil Safely (Usage and Dilution Guidelines)
How to Use Turpentine Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
Diffusing: Add a few drops of Turpentine Essential Oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporiser and inhale the aroma. This may be particularly beneficial to anyone wanting to relieve cold and flu-like symptoms.
Inhaling: If you don’t own a diffuser or vaporiser, you can inhale Turpentine Oil directly from the bottle - just keep the bottle at a distance to avoid direct contact with the skin.
Inhaling: If you don’t own a diffuser or vaporiser, you can inhale Turpentine Oil directly from the bottle - just keep the bottle at a distance to avoid direct contact with the skin.
Warm Bath: To alleviate aches and pains, add a few drops to a cup of Epsom Salt and disolve in a bath of warm water and allow your body to appreciate the therapeutic benefits of Turpentine Oil.
Cleansing Shower: You can also add a drop to each corner of your shower, letting the Turpentine aroma rise with the steam and help decongest the nasal passages and lungs.
Cleansing Shower: You can also add a drop to each corner of your shower, letting the Turpentine aroma rise with the steam and help decongest the nasal passages and lungs.
How to Use Turpentine Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
Massage: To treat various types of pain, add a drop of Turpentine Essential Oil to a carrier oil or base massage oil (note that Turpentine Oil is incredibly strong and can cause harm when used incorrectly – see recommended dilution guidelines below).
Insect Repellent: Combine 10-15 drops of Turpentine Essential Oil, 10 drops of Lavender Oil, 1 tbsp Jojoba Oil and 1 tsp Witch Hazel with 100ml water. Store in a spray bottle and shake before applying to the skin. Or, you can add Turpentine Oil to any natural insect repellent formulations.
Turpentine Essential Oil Safe Dilution Guidelines
Turpentine Oil is particularly potent, so the recommended topical application is less than the regular amount. The following guidelines are recommended for healthy adults:
- General Use: 1 – 2% dilution (2 – 4 drops per 10ml)
- Facial Application: 0.5 – 1% dilution (1 – 2 drops per 10ml)
How to Use Turpentine Essential Oil for Cleaning
Surface Cleaners: To create an all-natural surface cleaner, add ½ cup white vinegar and 10 drops of Turpentine Essential Oil to a bottle, shake well and spray onto surfaces before wiping.
Cleaning Paste: In a bottle, combine 1 cup baking soda, ¼ cup natural dish liquid, 1 tbsp white vinegar and 10 – 15 drops of Turpentine Essential Oil. Wipe this formulation over sinks, toilets and showers using a microfibre cloth. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing well.
Floor Cleaner: Add a few drops of Turpentine Oil to your regular floor detergent to enhance its existing benefits.
Turpentine Oil Safety, Side Effects and Toxicity
While essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting any Essential Oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Turpentine Oil can cause toxicity if accidentally swallowed.
- Avoid using Turpentine Essential Oil during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your Essential Oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Turpentine Essential Oil is very concentrated and is likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). See our dilution guidelines above for more information about safe topical use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy high quality Turpentine Oil?
Turpentine Essential Oil can generally be found in any health, cosmetic or wellbeing retail store – yet the quality and purity will vary from one to the next. For this reason, we always recommend buying oils from a reputable supplier like AWO, where quality and purity are of paramount importance. We are also willing to provide product documentation upon request.
How do I use Turpentine Oil for hair?
You may come across claims that say Turpentine Oil good for hair growth – yet currently, there are no studies to show this is the case. It may help to promote growth by keeping a clean scalp – essential conditions for healthy strong hair – but it must be used with caution to avoid any irritation (and always diluted first).
Is Turpentine safe for skin care?
Using Turpentine Oil on skin is considered safe when first diluted with a carrier oil. Popular topical Turpentine Oil uses include massage rubs for calming pain and inflamed skin or natural insect repellents.
Turpentine can easily cause skin irritation when used incorrectly and, as such, tends not to find itself in modern skincare products. While some users report it helping with skin problems like acne, there is no clinical evidence to support this.
Does Turpentine contain healing properties?
It’s believed that Turpentine Essential Oil, distilled from pine resin, contains natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Traditionally, it’s been used to help with respiratory issues, sore muscles, and wound cleansing. However, these uses come from limited early research and not large-scale clinical trials. Always follow safety guidelines when using Turpentine Oil.
How can I be sure my Turpentine Oil is good quality?
When shopping for high quality oils, there are several things to look out for on the label and packaging to help indicate its quality and authenticity, including:
- Botanical name - for example, Pinus pinaster
- The words ‘100% pure and natural ‘- it should not be a fragrance oil
- Distillation method e.g. steam distillation
- Country of origin
- Stored in a dark glass bottle with a tightly sealed cap
Can I use Turpentine Oil to manage arthritis?
Turpentine Essential Oil has a long history of helping to ease joint and muscle discomfort, including arthritis, because of its anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic properties. However, there’s no strong clinical evidence proving Turpentine Oil can help arthritis sufferers. If you wish to try using it for pain relief, always dilute in a carrier oil first (see our safe dilution guide above for more details).
Is Turpentine Oil safe to use on wounds?
No, it is not advisable to use Turpentine Oil on open wounds. Despite its antiseptic properties, it is highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes and can cause redness, burning, or allergic reactions. While it was used on open wounds in the past, this practice has been abandoned because it can damage the skin tissue and slow the healing process.
What Customers Are Saying About Turpentine Essential Oil
“Lovely quality product!”
Neita (Verified Customer)
Neita (Verified Customer)
“Very impressed with the quality and value of the Turpentine Oil recently purchased. The customer service was great… I would definitely recommend both the product and the company”
Kate (Verified Customer)
Kate (Verified Customer)