Overview

Pine Resin is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Sarala (Pinus longifolia/P. roxburghii, Fam. Pinaceae) is the Chir Pine, the most common pine in the Indian Himalayas. Found at 2000-7000 feet elevation. The tree yields oleoresin (Chir/Cheed) from which turpentine oil and rosin are obtained by distillation. Medicinally, the resin and oil are used in skin diseases, parasitic infestations, and wound conditions. Pine tar (Cheed/Chirha) is obtained by destructive distillation. Properties are hot, penetrating, and Kapha-Vata pacifying. The resin is applied externally for skin conditions and internally as an expectorant. Also known as Dhup (incense) tree due to the aromatic resin used in fumigation. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 26-27.

How Pine Resin Helps with Skin Disorders

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Pine Resin has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:

Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp), Snigdha (unctuous)

Other Herbs for Skin Disorders

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Acacia Acacia concinna DC.

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Agarwood Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.

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Alexandrian Laurel Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth. & Hook. f.; Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.

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Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)

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Alum Potash Alum

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Amla Emblica officinalis

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Annatto Bixa orellana Linn.

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Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Linn.

See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.

▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)

Kushtha (skin diseases)
Krimi (worms/parasites)
Kandu (itching)
Vrana (wounds/ulcers)
Karna Roga (ear diseases)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

A broad woolen cloth soaked in very hot water, and then sprinkled with cooling water mixed with Shrivasa (pine resin/camphor) drops (should be applied).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 20: Sunstroke (Anshughata)

A broad woolen cloth soaked in very hot water, and then sprinkled with cooling water mixed with Shrivasa (pine resin/camphor) drops (should be applied).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 19: Sunstroke (Anshughata)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 20: Sunstroke (Anshughata); Parishishtam, Chapter 19: Sunstroke (Anshughata)

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.