Pine oil is an essential oil obtained by the steam distillation of stumps, needles, twigs and cones from a variety of species of pine, particularly Pinus sylvestris. As of 1995, synthetic pine oil was the "biggest single turpentine derivative." It is used as a cleaning product, disinfectant, sanitizer, microbicide (or microbistat), virucide or insecticide. It is an effective herbicide where its action is to modify the waxy cuticle of plants, resulting in desiccation. It is also used as a lubricant in small and expensive clockwork instruments. In alternative medicine it is used in aromatherapy and as a scent in bath oils. Pine oil is distinguished from other products from pine, such as turpentine, the low-boiling fraction from the distillation of pine sap, pine tar, and rosin, a resin remaining after turpentine is distilled.

 

Chemically, pine oil consists mainly of α-terpineol and other cyclic terpene alcohols. It may also contain terpene hydrocarbons, ethers, and esters. The exact composition depends on various factors, such as the variety of pine from which it is produced and the parts of the tree used.