Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Kew describes this taxon as a tree. This notice concerns Pinus pinaster, family Pinaceae. The pharmacopoeial material is: twigs, turpentine, rosin, black pitch.
Results are presented to explain the research; no self-medication recommendation.
Also known as: Pin maritime, Pinus pinaster
Twigs, turpentine, rosin and black pitch are different materials. Trials of a commercial bark extract or combination ointment do not validate all four together.A photograph alone does not guarantee identification for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Combination ointment: skin trial
An ointment combining three ingredients was studied for abscesses. Its effect cannot be attributed to Pinus pinaster alone.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Insufficient dataThis targeted audit does not provide a comprehensive contraindication review; this does not mean contraindications are absent.
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- The references in this notice do not establish a complete contraindication list. This limitation does not mean absence of risk.
Medicine interactions
- Medicine compatibility is not assessed in this notice; a pharmacist should check it before any use.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
The retained data do not support recommending medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
No paediatric use is proposed; pharmacopoeial listing does not establish a child-appropriate dose.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Trial size and duration cannot rule out rare or delayed effects. Tolerability of the tested product does not apply to every preparation.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
The retained data do not support recommending medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
No paediatric use is proposed; pharmacopoeial listing does not establish a child-appropriate dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Available evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
An ointment combining three ingredients was studied for abscesses. Its effect cannot be attributed to Pinus pinaster alone.
Combination ointment: skin trial
Symptoms and healing improved with the combination ointment compared with placebo.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
Do not apply household turpentine or delay assessment of an abscess.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Combination ointment: skin trial
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
- Type of research
- Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
- Preparation concerned
- Larch turpentine, eucalyptus oil and maritime-pine turpentine oil.
- Observed results
- The authors report a higher complete-healing rate in the active group.
- Limitations to consider
- Defined pharmaceutical combination and short follow-up; no evidence for crude resin or household products.
What can we take from this?
Defined pharmaceutical combination and short follow-up; no evidence for crude resin or household products.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — French Pharmacopoeia, List A, January 2026, p. 28Accessed on 09/10/2026
- GBIF — taxonomy of Pinus pinasterAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO — Pinus pinaster AitonAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Turpentine Ointment in Bacterial Skin Infections: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. — Fuchs-Algrim J et al. (2023)Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Matt Scott · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.