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Pine oil is a versatile, strong-smelling essential oil extracted from the needles, twigs, and cones of pine trees.
Pine oil is widely used in household cleaners and disinfectants for its scent and germ-fighting properties, and in aromatherapy for its calming, woodsy aroma.
Pine oil is an essential oil obtained from a variety of species of pine, particularly Pinus sylvestris.
CAS No.: 8023-99-2
Chemical Name: PINE OIL
CBNumber: CB5264357
Beilstein Reference: 8191505
Chemical Formula: C10H18O
Synonyms: FEMA 2906,PINUS SYLVESTRIS LEAF OIL,Scotch type,PINESCOTCHOIL,PINE OIL, TAR,Pineoilconcrete,PINE OIL, WHITE,OLEUMPINISILVESTRI,PINE OIL USP/EP/BP,PINUS SYLVESTRIS OIL
History of Pine Oil Usage
The Pine tree is easily recognized as the “Christmas Tree,” but Pine oil is also commonly cultivated for its wood, which is rich in resin and is thus ideal for use as fuel, as well as for making a pitch, tar, and turpentine, substances that are traditionally used in construction and painting.
In folk tales, the height of the Pine tree has led to its symbolic reputation as a tree that loves the sunlight and is always growing taller in order to catch the beams.
This is a belief that is shared throughout many cultures, which also refer to Pine oil as “The Master of Light” and “The Torch Tree.” Accordingly, in the region of Corsica, Pine oil is burned as a spiritual offering so that Pine oil can emit a source of light.
In some Native American tribes, the tree is called “The Watchman of the Sky.”
In history, the Pine tree’s needles were used as filling for mattresses, as they were believed to have the ability to protect against fleas and lice.
In ancient Egypt, pine kernels, better known as Pine Nuts, were used in culinary applications.
The needles were also chewed to protect against scurvy.
In ancient Greece, Pine was believed to have been used by physicians like Hippocrates to address respiratory ailments.
For other applications, the tree’s bark was also used for its believed ability to reduce symptoms of colds, to calm inflammation and headaches, to soothe sores and infections, and to ease respiratory discomforts.
Today, Pine Oil continues to be used for similar therapeutic benefits.
Pine oil has also become a popular aroma in cosmetics, toiletries, soaps, and detergents.
This article highlights the various other benefits, properties, and safe uses of Pine Oil.
Description
Pine oil is a powerful ingredient in both perfumery and personal care, offering a fresh, woody scent that evokes nature’s purity.
Extracted from various species of pine trees, it is widely used for its aromatic and therapeutic properties.
Whether in luxury fragrances, skincare formulations, or haircare products, pine oil is a crucial component in modern cosmetic and fragrance manufacturing.
Pine Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the needles of the Scotch Pine.
Pine Oil is a component of many house hold cleaners and disinfectants.
Renal toxicity has been reported in cats exposed to pine oil.
The histopathological findings include renal cortical necrosis and centrilobular necrosis.
Typically, parts of the trees that are not used for lumber — stumps, etc. — are ground and subjected to steam distillation.
As of 1995, synthetic pine oil was the "biggest single turpentine derivative.
Synthetic pine oils accounted for 90% of sales as of 2000.
Pine Oil is derived from the needles of the pine tree and is known for its fresh, clarifying, and invigorating aroma.
In aromatherapy, Pine Oil is used to uplift mood, boost energy, improve focus, and reduce feelings of stress and fatigue.
Pine Oil is also valued in skincare and hair care for its cleansing, soothing, and protective properties, and in massage applications for helping ease muscle soreness, improve circulation, and support overall physical comfort and recovery.
Pine oil consists of complex mixtures of monoterpene hydrocarbons (alpha, beta-pinene) and oxygenated monoterpenes (terpineol, borneol, bornyl acetate).
Compared to other disinfectants, antimicrobial activity is relatively low.
Concentrated formulations may contain over 50% pine oil with soap/anionic surfactant and alcohol to provide a blooming effect when diluted in water.
End use concentrations of more than 0.5% are often required for disinfection.
Quaternary ammonium compounds or phenolics may be combined with reduced levels of pine oil to improve disinfectant activity while retaining the characteristic pine scent.
Pine oil and pine oil-based compounds should be stored out of reach of small children or pets, and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
Pine Oil is a derivative of turpentine obtained by steam distillation of the species Pinus.
Pine Oil has a strong piny odor and is miscible with alcohol.
Pine Oil contains alpha-terpineol plus other cyclic terpene alcohols and terpene hydrocarbons.
Pine OIl is mainly applied in the production of household detergent, industrial cleaner, high quality ink and paint solvent owing to its pleasant pine smell, notable antimicrobial power and excellent solvency, low concentration ones can be used as foaming agent in ore floatation.
Pine oil is a phenolic disinfectant.
Pine OIl is generally effective against numerous bacterial strains and enveloped viruses.
Pine oil is not generally effective against non-enveloped viruses or spores.
Pine oil will kill the causative agents of typhoid, gastroenteritis, rabies, enteric fever, cholera, several forms of meningitis, whooping cough, gonorrhea and several types of dysentery. Pine oil is also effective against several of the leading causes of food poisoning.
Pine oil is not effective against spore related illneses such as tetanus or anthrax or against non-enveloped viruses such as poliovirus, rhinovirus, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Pine oil disinfectants are relatively inexpensive and widely available.
They have a relatively low human toxicity level.
They also have a low corrosion level and limited persistence.
Pine oil, as a complex mixture, contains isomeric compounds.
The most notable are the positional isomers alpha-terpineol and beta-terpineol, structural isomers alpha-pinene and beta-pinene as well as limonene that exists as stereoisomers.
Pine oil is the by-product of producing terpineol from gum turpentine.
Pine oil has a strong sterilizing effect and superior ability of deodorization, wetness, clearance and penetration.
Pine Oil is a powerful, aromatic essential oil obtained through the steam distillation of the needles, twigs, and cones of pine trees, primarily Pinus sylvestris or other Pinus species.
Pine oil features a sharp, woody, and fresh scent with natural disinfectant and deodorizing properties.
Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, Pine Oil is widely utilized in cleaning products, disinfectants, air care, cosmetics, and industrial formulations.
Pine oil is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and degreasing capabilities, making it an effective multi-purpose ingredient across various sectors.
Pine Oil is a natural essential oil obtained through the distillation of pine tree resins and needles, primarily composed of terpene hydrocarbons and terpene alcohols.
Pine Oil is known for its characteristic fresh pine aroma, excellent solvency, and strong surface-active properties.
Pine Oil functions as a multifunctional ingredient, offering cleaning, deodorizing, and mild antimicrobial performance across a wide range of formulations.
Due to its natural origin and chemical stability, Pine Oil is widely used in household, institutional, and industrial formulations where effective cleaning performance and fragrance are required.
Its ability to dissolve grease, enhance emulsification, and impart a long-lasting fresh scent makes Pine Oil a reliable component in products focused on hygiene, odor control, and surface care.
Pine oils, derived by steam distillation of wood from pines, consist of a mixture of terpene alcohols.
Pine oil–based compounds may contain small amounts of phenol derivatives.
The concentration of pine oil in disinfectant cleaners varies from 0.3% to 60%.
Pine oil is moderately toxic to humans if swallowed, heavily inhaled, or used improperly.
While generally safe when properly diluted or used in well-ventilated areas, Pine oil can cause severe poisoning, chemical pneumonitis, or central nervous system depression if ingested or if Pine oil enters the lungs.
Pine oil comes from pine trees.
Pine oil’s a natural oil that is not to be confused with pine nut oil, which comes from the pine kernel.
Pine nut oil is considered a vegetable oil and is primarily used for cooking.
Pine needle essential oil, on the other hand, is an almost colorless yellow oil that’s extracted from the needle of the pine tree.
Pine oil has cleansing, refreshing, rejuvenating properties.
Its smell reminds one of the woods' heavy, heady scent.
Pine essential oil can offer more health benefits than just a nice scent.
A clear colorless to light amber colored liquid.
Contains mainly tertiary and secondary terpene alcohols Produced from the wood of pine trees by extraction or steam distillation.
Less dense than water and insoluble in water.
Hence floats on water. Vapors are heavier than air.
Pine oil is a mixture of terpene alcohols and terpene hydrocarbons.
Thanks to its pleasant pine smell, notable antimicrobial power and excellent solvency, pine oil is mainly applied in the production of household detergent, flooring gel, industrial cleaner, high quality ink and paint solvent, low concentration ones can be used as foaming agent in ore flotation.
Composition
Pine oil is a higher boiling fraction from turpentine.
Both synthetic and natural pine oil consists mainly of α-terpineol, a C10 alcohol (b.p. 214–217 °C).
Other components include dipentene and pinene.
The detailed composition of natural pine oil depends on many factors, such as the species of the host plant.
Synthetic pine oil is obtained by treating pinene with water in the presence of a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid.
This treatment results in hydration of the alkene and rearrangement of the pinene skeleton, yielding terpineols.
Uses
Industrially, pine oil was once used in froth flotation for the separation of mineral from ores.
For example, in copper extraction, pine oil is used to condition copper sulfide ores for froth flotation.
Pine oil is also used as a lubricant in small and expensive clockwork instruments.
In alternative medicine Pine oil is used in aromatherapy and as a scent in bath oils.
Pine oil is used as a solvent in artistic and restoration works.
Pine oil, obtained by extracting essential oils from the needles of pine trees, is a strong therapeutic aid.
Similar to tea tree and eucalyptus oil, extracts of pine are powerful agents against harmful organisms of all types, making Pine oil a great oil to have in your medicine chest and cleaning cupboard.
Pine oil, essential oil consisting of a colourless to light amber liquid of characteristic odour obtained from pine trees, or a synthetic oil similar in aroma and other properties.
Pine oil is used as a solvent for gums, resins, and other substances.
Pine oil has germicidal properties and is employed medically as a principal constituent of general disinfectants.
Pine oil is also used in odorants, insecticides, detergents, wetting and emulsifying agents, wax preparations, and antifoaming agents and in textile scouring and the flotation process for refining lead and zinc ores.
Pine oil is an essential oil obtained by the steam distillation of needles, twigs and comes from a variety of species of pine, particularly Pinus sylvestris.
Pine oil has a strong piny odor and is miscible with alcohol.
Pine Oil contains alpha-terpineol plus other cyclic terpene alcohols and terpene hydrocarbons.
Pine oil is known for its clean, fresh, and woody aroma, often used in men’s colognes, nature-inspired perfumes, and revitalizing room sprays.
Pine oil has long been a cherished ingredient in perfumery, celebrated for its crisp, woody aroma that evokes the freshness of dense forests.
This versatile note adds depth, character, and a natural vibrancy to fragrances.
Health Risks & Exposure Symptoms
Ingestion: Swallowing pine oil (often found in household cleaners) is dangerous.
Pine oil can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, and depressed mentation.
The most severe risk is aspiration, where the oil enters the lungs and causes life-threatening chemical pneumonitis (inflammation and respiratory failure).
Inhalation: Inhaling high concentrations of pine oil fumes (e.g., from undiluted products or poorly ventilated spaces) can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory tract irritation.
Skin & Eyes: Undiluted pine oil acts as an irritant and can cause severe burning and redness on the skin or in the eyes.
What is Pine Oil Used For?
Cleaning & Disinfecting: Because of its natural solvent and moderate antibacterial properties, Pine oil is a primary ingredient in commercial floor cleaners and disinfectants.
Aromatherapy & Stress Relief: Diffusing the oil is believed to counter fatigue, relieve stress, and improve mental concentration.
Cosmetics & Personal Care: Often added to soaps, bath products, and massage oils.
Some swear by Pine oil for treating scalp issues like dandruff, but Pine oil can irritate sensitive skin.
Pine oil is a versatile extract used primarily as a potent household disinfectant and cleaner, an invigorating aromatherapy agent, and a soothing topical remedy.
Pine oil naturally cuts through grease, deodorizes spaces, and provides an uplifting, woodsy fragrance.
Health benefits
1. Pine oil Has Anti-Viral Properties
Pine nut oil may also deter harmful organisms, including viruses.
Pine oil is beneficial in fighting free radical damage and chronic inflammatory responses.
2. Soothes the Skin Conditions
Pine oil possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties and as such is able to fight against these skin conditions.
Pine oil may be useful with a variety of skin conditions due to its strong cleansing capabilities.
3. Pine Oil Is an Expectorant
Essential pine oil may also help relieve congestion.
Pine oil helps loosen phlegm in the lungs, offers relief when one suffers from a sore throat.
Pine Oil is believed to have cleansing, stimulating, uplifting, and invigorating effects.
When diffused, its purifying and clarifying properties are known to positively impact the mood by clearing the mind of stresses, energizing the body to help eliminate fatigue, enhancing concentration, and promoting a positive outlook.
These qualities also make Pine Oil beneficial for spiritual practices, such as meditation.
Used topically, such as in cosmetics, the antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of Pine Oil are known to help soothe skin conditions characterized by itchiness, inflammation, and dryness, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
These properties combined with its ability to help control excessive perspiration, may help prevent fungal infections, such as Athlete’s Foot.
Pine Oil is also known to effectively protect minor abrasions, such as cuts, scrapes, and bites, from developing infections.
Its antioxidant properties make Pine Oil ideal for use in natural formulations intended to slow the appearance of signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
Furthermore, its circulation-stimulating property promotes a warming effect.
When applied to the hair, Pine Essential Oil is reputed to exhibit an antimicrobial property that cleanses to remove bacteria as well as a build-up of excess oil, dead skin, and dirt.
This helps prevent inflammation, itchiness, and infection, which in turn enhances the hair’s natural smoothness and shine.
Pine Oil contributes moisture to eliminate and protect against dandruff, and it nourishes to maintain the health of the scalp and strands. Pine Essential Oil is also one of the oils known to protect against lice.
Used medicinally, Pine Oil is reputed to exhibit antimicrobial properties that support immune function by eliminating harmful bacteria, both airborne and on the skin’s surface.
By clearing the respiratory tract of phlegm and soothing other symptoms of colds, coughs, sinusitis, asthma, and the flu, its expectorant and decongestant properties promote easier breathing and facilitate the healing of infections.
Used in massage applications, Pine Oil is known to soothe muscles and joints that may be afflicted with arthritis and rheumatism or other conditions characterized by inflammation, soreness, aches, and pain.
By stimulating and enhancing circulation, Pine oil helps facilitate the healing of scratches, cuts, wounds, burns, and even scabies, as Pine oil promotes the regeneration of new skin and helps reduce pain.
Pine oil is also reputed to help relieve muscle fatigue.
Additionally, its diuretic properties help promote the body’s detoxification by encouraging the expulsion of pollutants and contaminants, such as excess water, urate crystals, salts, and fats.
This helps maintain the health and function of the urinary tract and the kidneys.
This effect also helps regulate body weight.
4. Great for Aromatherapy
Properties as a disinfectant
Pine oil is used as a cleaning product, disinfectant, sanitizer, microbicide (or microbistat), virucide or insecticide.
Pine oil is an effective herbicide where its action is to modify the waxy cuticle of plants, resulting in desiccation.
Pine oil is a disinfectant that is mildly antiseptic.
Pine oil is effective against Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, the fungi Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Gram-negative enteric bacteria, household germs, Gram-negative household germs such as those causing salmonellosis, herpes simplex types 1 and 2, influenza type A, influenza virus type A/Brazil, influenza virus type A2/Japan, intestinal bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhosa, Serratia marcescens, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
Commercial production
Commercial production of pine oil involves extracting essential oil from pine trees, typically from needles, stumps, or sap, using steam distillation, the most common and environmentally friendly method.
In this process, raw pine material is placed in a still where high-temperature steam vaporises volatile compounds, which are then condensed and separated from water to yield pine oil.
Alternative methods like solvent extraction and microwave-assisted extraction are also used for specialised applications.
Reactivity Profile
PINE OIL has a high content of various alcohols.
Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents.
They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water.
Oxidizing agents convert them to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior.
They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
Chemical Properties
Pine-needle oil is produced primarily in Eastern (Hungary) and Southeastern (Bulgaria) Europe by steam distillation of the needles of the Norwegian or Scotch pine, Pinus sylvestris L. var. sylvestris or Pinus nigra Arnold ssp. nigra.
Pine oil is a colorless or yellowish liquid with an aromatic, turpentine-like odor.
In China, pine-needle oil is also obtained from Pinus massoniana Lamb.
d25 0.857–0.885; n20D 1.4730–1.4785; α20D 4 ° to +10 °; solubility: 1 vol in 6 vol of 90% ethanol, sometimes slightly opalescent; ester content (calculated as bornyl acetate): 1.5–5%.
Chemical Properties
Scotch pine tree grows to 20 to 25 m (66 to 82 ft) in height.
Pine oil has a reddish-brown bark (rough or cracked) that detaches readily; long, blue-green needles (twined) forming a terminal cluster; and flowers from April to May.
The staminiferous flowers are clustered at the branch tips, while the pistiliferous flowers are singular and reddish-purple in color, and they later yield scaly cones.
The tree is widespread throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
The parts used are the needles and twigs.
Scotch Pine has a strong pine–turpentine odor.
Chemical Properties
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the comminuted leaves (needles).
Pine oil has a characteristic turpentine odor.
Pine oil is produced mainly in Tyrol, Russia and the former Yugoslavia.
Physical properties
The oil is a clear, colorless or yellow-green, volatile liquid.
Pine oil is soluble in most fixed oils, mineral oil (with opalescence).
Pine oil is slightly soluble in propylene glycol and practically insoluble in glycerin.
The physical–chemical constants vary widely, depending on the plant source.
Chemical formula: Mixture
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Density: 0.875 g/cm3 at 25 °C (approximate)
Melting point: 5 °C (41 °F; 278 K)
Boiling point: 195 °C (383 °F; 468 K)
Solubility in water: Insoluble
log P: 1.7
Vapor pressure: 4 mmHg
Occurrence
Found in the leaves (needles) of Pinus sylvestris L. (Fam. Pinaceae).
Preparation
By steam-distillation of the leaves (needles) of P. sylvestris L.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives.
Pinus sylvestris, Pinaceae.
Essential oil composition
Main constituents include α- and β-pinene, d- and l-limonene, aldehydes, dl-borneol, alcohols, terpene alcohols, bornyl acetate, phenols and fatty acids.
Composition
The barks were analyzed to biomonitor the pollution by estimating the following inorganic and organic substances: Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, NH4 +, Ni, NO3 -, PO4(3)-, Pb, Sr, SO4(2)-, Ti, V, W, Zr, Zn, benzo[a]pyrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT).* The German oil contains dextro-pinene, d-sylvestrene, cadinene, and probably bornyl- or terpinyl-acetate (about 3.5%).
Toxicity evaluation
Both the acute oral LD50 value in rats and the acute dermal LD50 value in rabbits exceeded 5 g/kg (Levenstein, 1975).
The acute oral LD50 for rats was determined by von Skramlik (1959) as 6.88 g/kg body weight, calculated to correspond to approximately 482g/70kg body weight in man.
Packaging & Storage:
Packed in 44/53/58 gallons new galvanized or coated steel drums, 150/180/195kgs net per drum.
Goods can also be packed in 1000L IBCs, ISOTanks or other containers according to customers' requirements.
Containers should be stored in a cool, ventilated warehouse, away from fire, heat and incompatible chemicals.
Safety
With respect to the quality of indoor air, attention is directed to the effects of ambient ozone on pine oil components.
Large doses may cause central nervous system depression.
Safety & Precautions
Do not swallow: Ingesting pine oil is toxic and can cause severe lung inflammation if Pine oil enters the airways.
Skin irritation: Pine oil can trigger allergic reactions, redness, or dryness in people with sensitive skin.
Always dilute Pine oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin.
Keep away from pets: Pine oil can be highly toxic to cats and dogs.
