Sandarac

Chemical properties

A small conifer growing 12 to 15 m tall in the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. The tree has hard, durable, fragrant wood frequently used in building. A natural oleoresin exudes from incisions made on the trunk and branches and solidifies into brittle, faintly aromatic, yellow grains, or tears. The resin finds use primarily in varnishes and as an incense. The part used is the oleoresin. Sandarac has a turpentine-like, fresh, resinous odor.

Physical properties

Sandarac oil, prepared by steam distillation of the resin, is a colorless to pale-yellow liquid with a fresh, balsamic odor reminiscent of turpentine.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It is a product which may contain resin acids and their esters, terpenes, and oxidation or polymerization products of these terpenes. (Callitris quadrivalvis, Cupressaceae).

Essential oil composition

The heartwood of this species is known to contain several compounds including thymoquinone, carvacrol and β- and γ-thujaplicins.