Until the middle of the 20th century, few people in the South escaped an occasional medicinal dosing of a chemical derived by intentionally injuring native pine trees. The chemical was turpentine and its uses were legion. Turpentine was derived from the resinous gums of pines, most often longleaf pine, also known as pitch pine, wherever it occurred. This resin contains the volatile hydrocarbon terpene.
Turpentine: Cure-All of the South
K. Ouchley
