Resins are basically hydrocarbon secretions of plants, predominantly seen in coniferous trees. Though they are considered futile by most of the people, they find wide application in chemical constituents and other products such as varnishes and adhesives, as well as important source of raw materials for organic synthesis, incense and perfume. Moreover, natural fossilized resins are a vital source of amber. Resins have been known to mankind since ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. They were highly valued for their usage in perfumery and incense employed in religious rites. If you are still wondering what are resins, read on.
Resins are a sort of viscous liquid, comprising of volatile fluid terpenes, along with dissolved non-volatile solids, which makes them thick and sticky. Some varieties of resins also contain high quantities of resin acids. Different plants produce different types of resin. For instance, Jeffrey Pine and Gray Pine contain high levels of volatile components with negligible or no terpenes. Some resins even contain high amounts of heptane, which is an inflammable substance. Thus, the distillation of such resins poses significant problems, leading to explosion. Natural resins have therapeutic benefits,
The hard transparent resins, such as the copals, dammars, mastic and sandarac, are mainly used for varnishes and cement. On the other hand, softer odoriferous oleo-resins like frankincense, elemi, turpentine, copaiba and gum resins containing essential oils like ammoniacum, asafoetida, gamboge, myrrh and scammony found application in therapeutic activities and incense. But resins are are difficult to use in aromatherapy because they are extremely thick and sticky.
Resins are a sort of viscous liquid, comprising of volatile fluid terpenes, along with dissolved non-volatile solids, which makes them thick and sticky. Some varieties of resins also contain high quantities of resin acids. Different plants produce different types of resin. For instance, Jeffrey Pine and Gray Pine contain high levels of volatile components with negligible or no terpenes. Some resins even contain high amounts of heptane, which is an inflammable substance. Thus, the distillation of such resins poses significant problems, leading to explosion. Natural resins have therapeutic benefits,
The hard transparent resins, such as the copals, dammars, mastic and sandarac, are mainly used for varnishes and cement. On the other hand, softer odoriferous oleo-resins like frankincense, elemi, turpentine, copaiba and gum resins containing essential oils like ammoniacum, asafoetida, gamboge, myrrh and scammony found application in therapeutic activities and incense. But resins are are difficult to use in aromatherapy because they are extremely thick and sticky.
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