Pinus Strobus Oil

#### Pinus Strobus Oil. *"Canadian** **white** **pine** **needle** **oil":* The midwestern "**Weymouth**** ****Pine**" grows extensively in the state of Wisconsin, U. S. A., and toward the east into northern New York state. Although the production of essential oil from this pine is practically abandoned, it will be mentioned briefly here since distillation of other pine needle oils take place in the above areas (see: **Spruce Oil, **or **Tsuga Canadensis**). It serves no purpose to quote any data of this oil since it is no longer a commercially available item. It is quite possible, however, that the needles of pinus strobus are distilled with various species of the so-called hemlock-spruce group (see monograph on **Spruce Oil**). Any significant addition of pinus strobus needles to the spruce material would tend to lower the ester content in the spruce oil significantly. ##### Pinus Sylvestris Oil. The "**Forest Pine**" or "**Norway Pine**" (so called in Scandinavia), or "**Scotch Pine**" (in England), the **Pinus**** ****Sylvestris**** **is widely grown all over Europe. This tree also grows in the Baltic states, in the U. S. S. R., central Europe, southern Europe, etc. Distillation is carried out in Austria (Tirol), U.S.S.R., Sweden (on a small scale, in one distillery and mainly for local pharmaceutical use), in Denmark (irregularly) and in Yugoslavia. In Germany and Scandinavia, it has been customary to produce an aqueous extract from the needles of this tree, for use in bath preparations. As a by-product from this extraction, some essential oil is obtained which is insoluble in the aqueous, very dark brown, viscous extract. On the other hand, the exhaust twigs and needles from the steam distillation of the essential oil can be extracted with water. This is usually done by simple draining of the pot since the "pot water" is a liquid aqueous extract of oil-free needles and twigs. The extract is evaporated to "soft extract" consistency. The characteristics of **Pinus Sylvestris Oil **vary considerably according to the place of origin (production). The oil is subject to very frequent adulteration, and the label "Oil of **Pinus**** ****Sylvestris**" (or **Silvestris**) may be found on the poorest mixtures of camphene, pinene, isobornyl acetate and a few other chemicals and isolates. The true oil is practically colorless, mobile and with a strong, turpentine-type, balsamic pine odor. Its dryout is quick and uninteresting. As a matter of fact, there is rarely any odor left on a blotter after 24 hours or even less. Its characteristic, fresh topnote and the peculiar sweetness in this topnote are the main features of the oil. Apart from that, the oil of **Pinus Sylvestris **does not offer any outstanding or unusual effect in perfumery. Its use is confined to room fresheners (sprays), disinfectants, insecticides, soaps and detergents, vaporizer liquids, etc. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the oil will slowly disappear from the essential oil market. The particularly high quality of the pinus sylvestris oil from Tirol (Austria) cannot compensate for the fact that there is not enough good oil available. There is, on the other hand, an abundance of very poor or coarsely adulterated oils which ruin the reputation of true pinus sylvestris oil. The particular use of this oil calls for such tremendous amounts that one, five or ten metric tons annually may not even satisfy one consumer.