The History of Pine Tar: How Has Pine Tar Been Used Traditionally?

For thousands of years, pine tar has been treasured as one of nature’s most powerful and versatile healing substances. What is the story of pine tar, and how was it used?

Long before laboratories, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic antiseptics, people across Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and North America relied on pine tar to protect their skin, heal wounds, and preserve both health and materials. Its smoky scent and dark, resinous texture became synonymous with healing, resilience, and survival.

The story of pine tar is deeply intertwined with humanity’s relationship with forests. Pine trees, rich in resins and protective compounds, offered not only shelter and fuel but also a remarkable medicinal resource. Through centuries of trial, observation, and tradition, people learned how to carefully extract pine tar and harness its therapeutic potential.

Disclaimer: This article is for historical and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The historical uses of pine tar mentioned here are not modern treatment recommendations. Always talk to qualified healthcare professionals about any medical or skin concerns.

How Was Pine Tar Extracted Traditionally?

Historically, pine tar was produced by destructive distillation, or slow pyrolysis. This involved heating resin-rich pine wood in low-oxygen environments to release its volatile compounds, which were then condensed and collected as tar. 

Archaeological evidence suggests that early tar production techniques date back to Neolithic times, with increasingly sophisticated kiln designs appearing throughout the Iron Age and medieval periods (National Historic Ships UK, 2023).

Traditional tar kilns were typically cone-shaped pits dug into sloping ground. Pine logs were stacked tightly inside, covered with soil and turf, and slowly heated for several days. 

The careful control of airflow and temperature prevented full combustion, allowing the wood’s resins and organic compounds to vaporize, condense, and flow downward through channels into collection vessels. 

This slow, labor-intensive process produced thick, dark pine tar rich in phenols, resin acids, terpenes, and organic acids, compounds now known to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. 

Each batch required precise craftsmanship, patience, and experience, making tar-burning a highly respected trade across northern Europe.

Scandinavian and Baltic Innovations

In Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic regions, pine tar production was even more refined. Tar kilns capable of producing thousands of liters became common, supplying both local needs and large export markets. (Hennius A. 2018)

Finnish pine tar, in particular, gained international recognition for its purity and medicinal quality (National Historic Ships UK, 2023).

By the 17th and 18th centuries, pine tar had become a strategic commodity, vital for preserving wooden ships, homes, tools, and medical supplies. Entire communities specialized in tar production, passing down kiln designs and firing techniques through generations. (Hennius A. 2018)

How Was Pine Tar Used As a Traditional Healing Medicine?

Extracting this valuable resin from trees was a time- and labor-intensive process. Ancient and medieval people could not have known its value from understanding its chemical makeup, but they could certainly understand its exceptional uses through observation.

Here are a few ways pine tar was used in traditional medicine.

Skin Care and Wound Healing

Among pine tar’s most valued uses was skin treatment. Historical medical texts from Europe describe pine tar ointments prescribed for:

• Chronic eczema
• Psoriasis
• Scabies
• Persistent itching
• Slow-healing wounds
• Burns and frostbite

Today, we know that pine tar’s antimicrobial properties help reduce infection risk, while its resinous compounds form a protective barrier over damaged skin. Folk healers noted that pine tar salves soothed inflammation, reduced redness, and promoted faster healing — observations now supported by modern dermatological research. (Barnes & Greive 2017)

Scandinavian traditions used pine tar to treat cracked hands, chapped lips, frostbite, and winter eczema, especially in harsh northern climates where cold and wind severely damaged the skin. Pine tar soaps, salves, and balms were everyday household remedies (Allen & Hatfield, 2004).

Respiratory and Infectious Disease Uses

Beyond skincare, pine tar was widely used for respiratory ailments. Vapors from heated pine tar were inhaled to ease congestion, bronchitis, asthma, and persistent coughs. Pine tar syrups and lozenges became common remedies across Europe and early North America, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Its natural antimicrobial action also made pine tar valuable for treating minor infections, disinfecting wounds, and preserving bandages and medical instruments. Early physicians recognized its ability to limit microbial growth long before bacteria were scientifically understood (Barnes & Greive 2017)

How neat is that?

Early Veterinary Medicine

Pine tar was also important in traditional veterinary medicine, used to treat hoof rot, saddlesores, mange (animal scabies), parasites, and skin wounds.

Ethnoveterinary studies show pine tar has been used for a long time to care for livestock and working animals, especially in farming communities.

Summary of Pine Tar Uses

Here is a chart to break down all this information:

Pine Tar in Folk Medicine Across Cultures

Because I enjoy nerding out over natural soap ingredients, I’ve immersed myself in all things pine tar for the last few weeks. I have always known that pine tar is fantastic for skin, and I’ve seen firsthand how it eases a variety of skin issues. 

However, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about its uses around the world and across time because it shines a light on an ingredient so often overlooked. So, if you dare to venture into this rabbit hole with me, read on for a brief summary of pine tar in folk medicine around the world.

Europe and Scandinavia

Throughout Scandinavia, pine tar was considered a near-universal remedy. Finnish folklore famously claimed, “If tar, sauna, and alcohol don’t help, the illness is fatal.” Pine tar baths were common for treating joint pain, muscle soreness, skin inflammation, and fatigue.

In Britain and Ireland, pine tar appeared in herbal medicine traditions as a treatment for skin diseases, parasites, and chronic wounds. It was frequently incorporated into soaps and poultices for everyday health maintenance (Allen & Hatfield, 2004).

Indigenous and Early American Traditions

In North America, Indigenous communities and early settlers adopted pine tar for insect repellent, wound disinfection, skin protection, and respiratory relief. 

Pine resin and tar were often combined with animal fats or plant oils to create healing balms suitable for harsh frontier conditions (Bennett & Prance, 2000).

Old medical texts and pharmacopoeias often list pine tar as a main ingredient in salves, ointments, plasters, and poultices for treating chronic skin inflammation, infected wounds, burns, frostbite, parasitic skin problems, and fungal infections.

These remedies mixed pine tar with animal fats, beeswax, or plant oils to make thick, protective treatments that stayed on the skin and slowly released healing compounds.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, pine tar was officially listed in British and American medical dispensaries.

On homesteads, women were often the primary keepers of household medicine, crafting pine tar salves and balms to treat a variety of skin ailments and minor injuries.

These preparations were typically made by combining pine tar with locally available fats such as lard or tallow, and sometimes beeswax, creating a thick, oily ointment that could be applied to cuts, burns, rashes, or irritated skin. 

The recipes varied from family to family, with each woman adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired consistency and potency. 

Pine Tar In American Folk Medicine

Pine tar has a wide variety of uses, but cultures around the world have historically used it differently depending on their contexts’ needs. American folk medicine was no different. 

Each region in North America faces different climate challenges. Amazingly, whether a region battles constant humidity and mosquitoes or long, dry winters, pine tar made an appearance in its folk remedies.

Appalachia: Mountain Wisdom and Generational Healing

In Appalachia, pine tar was deeply embedded in mountain medicine traditions. Families carefully distilled their own tar in earthen pits and iron kettles, passing down both technique and knowledge through generations. 

Pine tar salves were applied to eczema, cracked hands, burns, insect bites, fungal infections, and chronic sores. 

When blended with animal fats or beeswax, it formed a protective ointment that softened skin while guarding against infection. Pine tar teas and syrups were also used sparingly for coughs and chest congestion, though topical applications remained the most common.

Healers valued pine tar not only for its medicinal benefits but also for its accessibility. Pine trees blanketed Appalachian forests, making this remedy both sustainable and affordable. 

Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties allowed families to care for wounds, skin conditions, and chronic irritation without reliance on distant doctors or costly supplies (Cavender, 2003).

The Deep South: Heat, Humidity, and Skin Protection

In the Deep South, pine tar became an essential solution for managing heat-related skin issues. High humidity and long summers created ideal conditions for fungal infections, insect infestations, and chronic skin irritation. 

Pine tar soaps and washes were widely used to treat ringworm, athlete’s foot, boils, and persistent itching. Its natural antifungal and antibacterial properties made it particularly effective in these climates.

Enslaved African Americans, Indigenous communities, and European settlers all incorporated pine tar into their healing traditions. It was often blended with sulfur, animal fats, or herbal extracts to create salves for burns, wounds, and parasitic skin conditions. 

The American West: Frontier Medicine and Survival

As settlers moved westward, pine tar traveled with them. In the rugged conditions of frontier life, it became a cornerstone of practical medicine. Homesteaders and pioneers used pine tar ointments to soothe sunburn, cracked skin, blisters, insect bites, and slow-healing wounds. 

In mining camps and cattle towns, where medical help was often days away, pine tar served as a frontline defense against infection.

Native American communities of the western regions had long used pine resin and tar preparations for wound care, respiratory relief, and ceremonial cleansing. These traditions influenced settler practices, blending Indigenous botanical knowledge with European medical customs. 

Pine tar’s ability to protect damaged skin and prevent microbial growth made it indispensable across harsh climates and demanding physical labor (Moerman, 1998; Hart, 1992).

The Northeast: Colonial Medicine and Maritime Healing

In the Northeastern colonies, pine tar occupied a central role in both domestic and maritime medicine. Pine forests supplied tar for shipbuilding, but households also relied on it for skincare and wound care. 

Pine tar salves were commonly applied to frostbite, burns, ulcers, scabies, and chronic eczema, especially during brutal winters.

Sailors depended heavily on pine tar to protect against saltwater exposure, windburn, and cracked skin. Maritime medical manuals from the 18th and 19th centuries frequently recommended pine tar ointments for wound healing and infection prevention aboard ships, where injuries could quickly become life-threatening. 

In this region, pine tar symbolized resilience, protection, and practicality (Crellin & Philpott, 1990).

The Great Plains: Prairie Medicine and Frontier Adaptation

On the vast Great Plains, pine tar became a vital tool for survival in an unforgiving environment. The region’s dry winds, intense sun, and biting cold demanded skincare that could both protect and repair. 

Settlers and Indigenous peoples applied pine tar salves to prevent moisture loss, soothe cracked skin, and promote healing in slow-closing wounds.

Its insect-repelling properties also made pine tar invaluable during mosquito-heavy summers, protecting both humans and livestock. 

Veterinary journals and pioneer diaries describe widespread use of pine tar for treating saddle sores, hoof infections, and parasitic infestations in animals, underscoring its importance beyond personal care (Hart, 1992; Moerman, 1998).

How Was Pine Tar Used In Soap?

Now, let’s talk soap pine tar soap! Long before modern cosmetics, skincare was mainly about protection, cleanliness, and healing. Pine tar was one of the first cosmetic ingredients used because it cleansed gently and soothed irritated skin.

By medieval times, pine tar soaps were common in Scandinavia, the Baltic region, and Northern Europe. They were usually made from wood ash lye (potassium hydroxide), animal fats, and pine tar.

If you’re curious about lye in soap, read No Lies About Lye.

These soap bars were valued for protecting skin, preventing infections, and treating chronic rashes and scalp problems.

Old shipyard records show sailors and shipbuilders often used pine tar soap to protect their skin from saltwater, cold winds, and constant wear. Nothing tests skin like traditional sailing!

Pine Tar in Early American Soap and Skincare

In the 19th century, pine tar soap was widely sold in North America for skin care, scalp cleansing, and chronic skin issues. 

Well-known examples are Grandpa’s Pine Tar Soap and Packer’s Tar Soap.  Both companies started in the mid to late 1800’s and are still making pine tar soap today.

Homestead Soapmaking and Pine Tar: A Women’s Craft

For centuries, homestead women were the primary producers of household soap, including pine tar–based soaps. On farms and rural communities across North America and Northern Europe, women either made their own soap or traded with neighbors. 

Recipes varied widely, depending on:

• Available fats – animal tallow and lard from hog, cow, deer, buffalo, sheep
• Alkaline source – wood ashes for lye
• Botanical additives – pine tar, herbs, or other resins

This meant that the potency, scent, color, and medicinal strength of pine tar soaps could vary greatly from batch to batch. A bar made by one family might be rich in tar and intensely smoky, while another could be milder or more diluted.

These home-prepared soaps were used for daily cleansing, baby care, scalp care, and chronic skin conditions such as eczema or “salt rheum.” Women often combined soap with tar ointments and balms to create a comprehensive household skincare and first-aid regimen.

Pine Tar’s Shift From Traditional Craft to Medical Refinement

As chemistry and medicine advanced, pine tar production gradually shifted from traditional kilns to controlled industrial distillation systems. These modern techniques allow precise regulation of temperature and oxygen levels, producing medical-grade pine tar with standardized composition and improved safety.

Today, pharmaceutical-grade pine tar is carefully refined, filtered, and tested to ensure purity, low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content, and consistent therapeutic performance. 

This refinement preserves pine tar’s beneficial compounds while minimizing irritants, making it suitable for dermatological use — even in pediatric and long-term applications.

Modern dermatology now recognizes pine tar as a safe, effective botanical therapy for inflammatory skin conditions, itch control, and wound repair, validating centuries of traditional practice.

Backed by research and refined with modern processing techniques, pine tar soap is better today than ever before! Read more and get links to recent studies in Is Pine Tar Soap Good for My Skin?

In a Nutshell

What makes pine tar remarkable is not just its long history, but how closely traditional knowledge aligns with modern research. Studies now confirm that pine tar has antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory effects, antipruritic action (reducing itch), and barrier-supportive benefits (protecting damaged skin).

This convergence of ancient wisdom and contemporary science highlights pine tar as a timeless and valuable therapeutic agent — people knew it worked, not necessarily why.

Selected Historical & Ethnobotanical References & Sources

National Historic Ships UK. (2023).

Pine tar: History and uses.

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/technical-papers/pine-tar-history-and-uses

Allen, D. E., & Hatfield, G. (2004).

Hennius A. Viking Age Tar production and outland exploitation.  Antiquity.

2018;92(365) https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2018.22

Barnes TM, Greive KA. Topical pine tar: History, properties and use as a treatment for common skin conditions. Australas J Dermatol. 2017;58(2):80-85. doi:10.1111/ajd.1242

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26790564

Introduced plants in the indigenous pharmacopoeia of Northern South America.

Economic Botany, 54(1), 90–102.

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02866603

Hatfield, G. (2004).

Medicinal plants in folk tradition: An ethnobotany of Britain and Ireland. Timber Press. Pages: 472–476

https://ia800305.us.archive.org/23/items/MilitiaandSurvival/Medicinal-Plants-in-Folk-Tradition-2004-Allen-Hatfield.pdf

Crellin, J. K., & Philpott, J. (1990).

A reference guide to medicinal plants: Herbal medicine past and present, Volume 2. Duke University Press. Pages: 361–364

https://www.dukeupress.edu/a-reference-guide-to-medicinal-plants

Hart, J. F. (1992).

The rural landscape. Johns Hopkins University Press.

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/2838/rural-landscape

These are the books I reference constantly for information about natural healing:

Moerman, D. E. (1998). Pages: 405–409

Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press.

https://www.amazon.com/Native-American-Ethnobotany-Daniel-Moerman/dp/0881924539

Cavender, Anthony P. Folk Medicine in Southern Appalachia. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2003. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41446626https://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Southern-Appalachia-Anthony-Cavender/dp/080785493X Pages 14, 18, 21, 23

The Foxfire Book Series books 1-3 Folk Medicine in Southern Appalachian Mountains https://www.foxfire.org/product/the-foxfire-book-series/

Volume I – Trying to Give Ease: Crellin, J. K., & Philpott, J. (1990). Trying to give ease: Tommie Bass and the story of herbal medicine (Vol. 1). Duke University Press. https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Give-Ease-Tommie-Medicine/dp/0822320177

Volume II – Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants: Crellin, J. K., & Philpott, J. (1990). A reference guide to medicinal plants: https://www.amazon.com/Reference-Guide-Medicinal-Plants-Medicine-ebook/dp/B00HMJUEQ2