Turpentine oil is made from the resin of certain pine trees. Turpentine oil is included in some chest rubs, such as Vicks VapoRub. When it is included in these products, it is used in very small amounts as a fragrance.
Some people use turpentine oil for infections of the stomach and intestines, autism, and different types of pain, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Turpentine oil can also be unsafe.
In foods and beverages, distilled turpentine oil is used as a flavoring ingredient.
In manufacturing, turpentine oil is used in soap and cosmetics and also as a paint solvent. It is also added to perfumes, foods, and cleaning agents as a fragrance.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Infections.
- Joint pain.
- Muscle pain.
- Nerve pain.
- Toothaches.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of turpentine oil for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Turpentine oil, when inhaled, may help reduce congestion. When used on the skin, turpentine oil may cause warmth and redness that can help relieve pain in the tissue underneath.
When taken by mouth: Do not take turpentine oil by mouth. Turpentine oil is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Turpentine oil can cause serious side effects, including headache, sleeplessness, coughing, bleeding in the lungs, vomiting, kidney damage, brain damage, coma, and death.
When applied to the skin: When small amounts of turpentine oil are applied to the skin, it is POSSIBLY SAFE. It might cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. But applying large amounts of turpentine oil to the skin is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. In some cases, applying too much turpentine oil to the skin can cause kidney or nervous system damage.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if turpentine oil is safe. Inhaling turpentine oil can cause discomfort of the throat and lungs. It can also cause spasms of the airways in some people, particularly in those with asthma and whooping cough.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Children: Do not let children take turpentine oil by mouth. Taking turpentine oil by mouth is LIKELY UNSAFE. Children are particularly sensitive to the chemicals in turpentine oil, and they can die after swallowing it. There isn't enough reliable information to know if turpentine oil can be safely inhaled by children or applied to their skin. It's best to avoid any use of turpentine oil in children.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking turpentine oil by mouth is LIKELY UNSAFE. In addition to its potential to cause poisoning, it might cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if placing it on the skin or inhaling it is safe when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Hypersensitivity (allergy): Don't use turpentine oil if you have an allergy to it.
Lung problems, including asthma or whooping cough: Don't inhale turpentine oil if you have asthma, whooping cough, or other lung problems, including inflammation of the lungs. It might make your condition worse.
Medications applied to the skin, eyes, or ears (Topical drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Applying turpentine oil along with medications you put on the skin or in the eyes or ears might increase how much medicine your body absorbs. Increasing how much medicine your body absorbs might increase the effects and side effects of the medicine.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Turpentine oil might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. This might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. However, this effect has not been seen in animals or humans. Before using turpentine oil talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline, tizanidine (Zanaflex), zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of turpentine oil depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for turpentine oil. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Aceite de Trementina, Essence de Térébenthine, Huile de Pin, Huile de Térébenthine, Huile de Térébenthine Purifiée, Pinus australis, Pinus palustris, Pinus pinaster, Purified Turpentine Oil, Spirits of Turpentine, Térébenthine, Terebinthinae Aetheroleum, Turpentine.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
© TRC Healthcare 2024. All rights reserved. Use and/or distribution is permitted only pursuant to a valid license or other permission from TRC Healthcare.