Larch Turpentine

#### Larch Turpentine. **Larch Turpentine **or **"Venetian Turpentine" **is a turpentine type of a natural oleoresin. It occurs as a physiological secretion in the larch tree, **Larix**** ****Decidua**, a conifer. The tree is quite common in Central and Southern Europe, Austria, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, etc. The production of this material is declining, and the small lots available to-day are mainly of German or Austrian (Tirolean) provenance; occasionally some is produced in France. The cultivation of larch trees is greatly inhibited by the stubborn growth of parasite fungi on the trunks of these trees. **Larch Turpentine **is a very viscous liquid, just pourable at room temperature. It is of light amber or pale yellow color, and possesses a soft, balsamic terpenic odor, reminiscent of fresh conifer resins and cones. The turpentine resinifies slowly on exposure to air and becomes increasingly viscous, almost hard. It will remain a slightly plastic lacquer upon drying, and, due to this ability, it has been used extensively in years past. **Larch Turpentine **is used in Europe, when and where it is available, as a fixative for pine or fir needle fragrances, low-cost fougères, industrial perfumes, etc. It is an excellent fixative, but it has been replaced by methylabietate (e.g. **"Abalyn") **or hydroabietic alcohols (e.g. "**Abitol**") and other abietic acid derivatives in countries where Larch Turpentine is not available or where the demand is far in excess of the European production. However, the faint and pleasant fragrance of true Venetian turpentine favors the use of the natural product. If this effect is wanted, only **Oregon Balsam **or **Canada Balsam **(see these monographs) may replace larch turpentine outside Europe. On the other hand, **Larch**** ****Turpentine**** **has been used to adulterate the more expensive **Canada**** ****Balsam **in Europe. American turpentine producers also prepare a substitute for larch turpentine for use in the United States. This substitute is acceptable only in industrial and "technical" preparations, not as a perfume material. See also **Canada**** ****Balsam**** **and **Oregon**** ****Balsam**.