Sandarac

#### Sandarac. Somewhat misleadingly called "**Juniper**** ****Gum",**** **the **Sandarac**** **is a natural oleo-resin, although it has resemblance to a turpentine in which most of the essential oil has already resinified to resin acids, etc. In our present definitions, sandarac would therefore be considered a natural resin, containing minute amounts of essential oil of the turpentine type. **Sandarac**** **is a physiological product of **Callitris**** ****Quadrivalvis**, a small conifer, originating in and growing wild in the mountains of northwest Africa (Algeria, Morocco). The tree is found in Malta and sporadically in Tunisia. The resin is obtained only by incisions in the trunk and branches, whereby the viscous sandarac flows out and quickly solidifies when exposed to the air. Native people then peel off the small tear-shaped, pale yellow resin drops. The main part of all sandarac is used in fine lacquers, varnishes (also medicinal), while small amounts are used in perfumery as a fixative in woody perfumes, pine fragrances, incense or Oriental bases, etc. The essential oil can be obtained either by steam distillation directly on the resin (usual method), or, the resin acids being soluble in aqueous potassium hydroxide, it is possible to isolate the essential oil from a neutralized alcoholic solution of sandarac. The alcohol is evaporated, and the alkaline solution is extracted with ethyl ether. After removal of the ether, a small amount of essential oil is left, unharmed by the exposure to high distillation temperatures. This method has hitherto had only theoretical interest, and there is, all told, very little interest in the essential oil of **Sandarac**. **Sandarac Oil **is a pale yellow or almost colorless mobile liquid of a turpentine-like, fresh-resinous and slightly balsamic odor. Tinctures of sandarac are used with some advantage since sandarac is almost entirely soluble in alcohol. Essential oils have been prepared from the wood of the sandarac tree, and from the leaves of that tree. None of these oils have yet attained any commercial interest, and they are not available at the present moment.