ABSTRACT
Pines, usually tall and stout trees and less often shrubs, have evergreen foliage leaves in the shape of needles and contain resin in their bark. The techniques commonly applied for the assessment of the physicochemical properties of pine needle oil include the measurement of specific gravity, the determination of refractive index, and the measurement of optical rotation. There is an ancient belief that there is a relation between the pine needle oil and good health. This belief is based on its strong disinfectant and therapeutic properties. A parasite affected by pine needle oil is the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which causes the pine wilt disease. The use of pine needle essential oils against human and agricultural pests and parasites has certain limitations relating to the toxicity of the oils and their inefficiency against a number of pest organisms.
