Why You Should Avoid Industrial Turpentine

In a world where labels can be misleading and products are often engineered for profit over purity, it’s important to know what you’re putting in—and on—your body. One of the most misunderstood substances out there is turpentine. While natural turpentine (like the kind we offer at Creekwood Naturals) has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy and household staple, industrial turpentine is a very different story.

Here’s why you should steer clear of industrial-grade turpentine—and what to look for instead.

1. Industrial Turpentine Is Dangerous

Industrial turpentine is typically manufactured as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and cleaning chemicals. It’s produced in mass quantities and often mixed with chemical stabilizers or additives to improve shelf life, drying time, or performance in manufacturing settings. These additives are not safe for internal use, skin contact, or inhalation.

2. Contains Toxic Contaminants

Unlike natural, steam-distilled turpentine from pure pine resin, industrial turpentine may contain:

• Petrochemical residues

• Heavy metals

• Synthetic solvents

• Chemical stabilizers

These impurities can cause serious harm to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. People who unknowingly use industrial turpentine for wellness or detox regimens are playing with fire.

3. It Can Cause Severe Side Effects

Even in small doses, industrial turpentine can cause:

• Headaches and nausea

• Respiratory distress

• Skin burns or rashes

• Neurological symptoms like dizziness and confusion

Repeated exposure may lead to long-term toxicity, especially if absorbed through the skin or inhaled over time.

4. Natural Turpentine Is Entirely Different

When sourced properly from the oleoresin of living pine trees and steam-distilled without additives, turpentine has been used traditionally as a natural remedy for everything from respiratory support to parasite cleansing.

Natural gum spirits of turpentine:

• Come from a single botanical source (pine)

• Are distilled using age-old methods

• Contain no synthetic chemicals

• Are safe in small, properly administered doses

At Creekwood Naturals, our turpentine is sourced from clean pine forests and crafted with health-conscious customers in mind.

5. Mislabeling Can Be Dangerous

Many products at hardware stores or big-box retailers say “pure turpentine” but are actually industrial grade or contaminated with harmful residues. Always check for:

• “100% Pure Gum Spirits of Turpentine”

• Steam-distilled from pine resin

• No chemical additives

• Small-batch or artisanal processing

And when in doubt—ask the seller. If they can’t tell you how it’s made or what’s in it, it’s probably not something you want in your home, let alone in your body.

Bottom Line: Know the Source

Industrial turpentine belongs in your garage—not your wellness cabinet. For natural remedies and trusted traditional tools, always choose high-quality, responsibly made alternatives.

At Creekwood Naturals, we proudly offer pure, steam-distilled gum spirits of turpentine made the old-fashioned way—no shortcuts, no chemicals, no compromises. Your health deserves nothing less.