How pine resin can be used with cannabis extract

Pine rosin has an infamous name in the marketplace as an adulterant in fake shatter. However, when used properly with a cannabis extract, pine resin has benefits in topical products.

Improper use of pine sap – fake shard

Counterfeit shatter products were quantified but also identified through a simpler test. That said, around 2019, cannabis extracts left a mass that didn’t dissolve after soaking in isopropyl alcohol. Normally, all of the active and desirable components of an extract should be soluble in alcohol.

Earlier in 2015, scientists in Israel quantified pine rosin as an adulterant in cannabis extracts. (1) And Robert Strongin and Jiries Meehan-Atrash of Portland State University in Oregon performed a similar analysis in 2020. (2) Pine resin, like cannabis, however, dissolves in alcohol. Therefore, any adulterants identified after soaking an extract in isopropyl alcohol cannot be pine resin. (3)

Cannabis extract or pine resin?

Pine rosin in topical cannabis products

Despite its notorious reputation in inhalant products, pine resin has a purpose in creams and ointments. Topical formulations of cannabis are only intended for external use on the skin, although they are still very versatile.

Pine resin is an effective low-risk topical agent. At least according to a study authored by two researchers who both work for an Australian pharmaceutical company. And on top of their conflict of interest, this company makes a profit selling pine resin for topicals. (4)

abeitic acid, terpenes and other beneficial substances

Pine resin consists of fifty percent abietic acid, a special diterpene. To identify the resin in cannabis extracts, scientists looked for abietic acid, (2) its dehydro analogue, as well as pimaric, sandaracopimarinic, and palustric acids. (1) The benefits of abietic acid for wound healing were published in a study in mice in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. (5)

Pine resin also contains terpenes, specifically alpha and beta pinene (6), which act as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents. And to increase its potency, pinene is relatively effective against MRSA bacterial infections.

• antiphlogistic
• wound healing
• Antibacterial
• hair growth (7)

Pine resin or cannabis extract?

Contradictions with male sexual health

Pine rosin is listed as Resina Pini in Korean and Japanese pharmacopoeias and has been used medicinally for centuries. The primary side effect of the resin is irritation, although studies say the effects are mild. Abietic acid’s primary mechanism of action is by inhibiting an enzyme that metabolizes testosterone. This means that cannabis topicals made with pine resin can adversely affect male sexual and reproductive health. (8th)

Indeed, pine rosin has an infamous name in the cannabis extract industry. However, in the field of external use, the resin can be given a breath of fresh air.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments regarding pine resin in topical cannabis products instead of inhalable extracts.

Photos courtesy of Canva.

Sources

1. Hanus, Lumir & Vega, Dafna & Roman, Michael & Tomíček, Pavel. (2015). Fake hash without cannabis resin. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences. 62. 1-6. 10.1080/07929978.2015.1053202.
2. Meehan-Atrash J, Strongin RM. Pine rosin has been identified as a toxic adulterant in cannabis extracts. Forensic Science Int. 2020;312:110301. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110301
3. Nong, Weijian; Chen, Xiaopeng; Wang, Linlin; Liang, Jiezhen; Wang, Hailing; Huang Yingying; Tong, Zhangfa (2014). Measurement and correlation of the solubility of abietic acid in ethanol+water mixtures. The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics , 68(), 199-204.doi:10.1016/j.jct.2013.07.015
4. 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.12427
5. Park, Jun Yeon; Lee, Yun Kyung; Lee, Dong Soo; Yoo, Jeong Eun; Shin, Myoung-Sook; Yamabe, Noriko; Kim, Su-Nam; Lee, Seulah; Kim, Kihyun; Lee, Hae Jung; Roh, Seok Sun; Kang, Ki Sung (2017). Abietic acid isolated from Pini Resin enhances angiogenesis in HUVECs and accelerates skin wound healing in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 203(), 279-287. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.055
6. Brandon Doss. Pine resin terpene analysis by GC-MS. University of Northern Arizona.
7. Park, Gunhyuk & Kim, Yong-ung. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effect of Resina Pini and its main component abietic acid in a mouse model of alopecia. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea. 42. 203-209. 10.15230/SCSK.2016.42.3.203.
8. Roh, Seong-Soo & Park, Moon-Ki & Kim, Yong-ung. (2010). Abietic acid from Pinus species of Resina Pini as a testosterone 5α-reductase inhibitor. Journal of Health Sciences – J HEALTH SCI. 56. 451-455. 10.1248/jhs.56.451.