Pine tar along with many other ingredients due to a lack of proof of their effectiveness. Some pine tar products contain creosote, a probable carcinogen. Creosote potentially may be produced when the pine wood is heated up to high temperatures in the creation of pine tar. Pine tar is also used in veterinary medicine as an expectorant and an antiseptic in chronic skin conditions. Pine tar Pine tar is a sticky material produced by the high temperature carbonization of pine wood in anoxic conditions (dry distillation or destructive distillation). The wood is rapidly decomposed by applying heat and pressure in a closed
Birch tar is an effective repellent of gastropods. The repellent effect lasts about two weeks. The repellent effect of birch tar oil mixed with petroleum jelly applied to a fence lasts up to several months. Birch tar oil is also used in perfumery as a base note to impart leather, tar, smoky, and wintergreen notes. Birch tar Birch tar or birch pitch is a substance (liquid when heated) derived from the dry distillation of the bark of the birch tree. It is composed of phenols such as guaiacol, cresol, xylenol and creosol. Birch tar was used widely as an adhesive as early