Tar; It is a product with a high viscosity, dark color, and a liquid-like consistency, which has been used for centuries. It is a valuable substance that has various types and has a wide range of uses from industry to modern medicine. Thanks to our rich underground resources and developing technology, tar, which we obtain more easily than in the past, is frequently preferred not only in our country but also all over the world, especially in terms of skin and hair health.
Tar is a substance that is obtained by distillation of carbon-rich organic substances under various special conditions, has a distinctive odor and is often confused with pitch. Pitch is the name given to the substance that increases as a result of tar production. Wood tar, which is a kind of tar, but whose production has almost stopped, is generally made in the Taurus Mountains in our country.
This substance, which is found in many different areas from roofing to eczema treatment, is preferred in the treatment of many diseases as a result of its regular use. Especially in skin and hair problems, tar oil can be used as well as soap. Moreover, since it is a very natural and effective product, it is recommended by some doctors to their patients.
What is Tar?
Tar, a valuable kind of oil; It is a heavy-smelling, black, viscous, water-insoluble, chlorinated liquid. This material, which is obtained by subjecting to some special processes, is produced by providing its own formation conditions.
Tar, which is a heavier substance than water, is produced by dry distillation of organic materials and providing special conditions where high heat and an oxygen-free environment are created. With this; It is also obtained from the trunks of various trees such as tar pine, juniper, cypress, or from turbo and petroleum.
What are the Properties of Tar?
During the distillation process; Light oils obtained at 70-170oC, having a ratio in the range of 2-8%; It contains 50-55% benzene, 5-10% benzene homologues, 10-12% acidic compounds, 1-3% sulfur compounds and bases, 10-15% naphthalene.
Medium oils obtained at 170-230oC, having a ratio of 8-10%; It contains 15-25% acids, 33-40% naphthalene and 5% bases.
Heavy oils obtained at 230-270oC, having a ratio of 8-10%; It contains anthracene, naphthalene, xylenols, high molecular cresols and pyridine derivatives.
Anthracene oil, obtained at 270-360oC, with a ratio of 16-20%; It contains phenanthrene, high phenols, anthracene and bases.
In the part containing 50-55% pitch, there is 90-94% carbon.
What are the Types of Tar?
The material used in this substance, especially obtained from wood and coal, determines the type of tar. If we make a generalization in our country and even in the world, more coal tar is used.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is a little more difficult to obtain than other types. It is produced by separating distillation of mineral coal, which is one of our rich underground resources. We can examine this process as follows.
Firstly; Light oils are obtained from coal heated to 200oC or above. (Benzene, toluene, xylene…)
Secondly; Medium oils are obtained from coal heated up to 200-250oC. (Bases and tar acids…)
In the third process; Heavy oils are obtained from coal heated up to 250-300oC. (Naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, essence, cresol, phenol, pyridine, fluorine, picoline, quinoline…)
coal tar; It can be dissolved in alcohol, acetone, carbon disulfide, ether, benzene, chloroform and water in different scales.
This substance, which is black in color and has a sharp taste, has a naphthalene odor. It is also explosive, just like tree tar.
Wood Tar
It is obtained from a plant known as tar tree, such as cedar, red pine, andız and larch, among which there are tree varieties from which coal is obtained.
This tar, which is more fluid than other black or brown types and has a sharp odor, has a boiling point (heating form) of 230-410oC. It can also be dissolved in water and alcohol.
The production of this species, which adversely affects health, has a poisonous and even explosive nature, has almost decreased.
What are the Uses of Tar?
Tar in general; It is used as a germicidal, dye and explosive. The material involved in the production of this substance determines the area of use, just as it determines the type. Now let’s examine in detail what coal and wood tar, which have different properties, are used for.
Areas of Use of Coal Tar
The usage area of coal tar, whose production is higher than other varieties, is also quite wide. It is often preferred in areas where sealing is required. It is involved in the production of plastics. It is used in roofing, wall and metal paints in constructions.
It is also an insulating material. In this species, it is also included in road works such as tree tar. It is also rarely preferred for killing lice.
Areas Where Wood Tar is Used
Although the current production of wood tar is very low, there are various places where it is used. This type is used in the softening of plastic materials and asphalt works, as well as in the field of health. It is used in cough syrups and healing skin wounds (scabies, dandruff).
What is Tar Soap?
Tar soap, which takes its name from its color, is a natural and highly effective cleaner, unlike other chemical soaps. It is known that it has been used for centuries for skin and hair health. You can easily get it from transfers or the internet at a very low cost.
It is also known as juniper soap or juniper tar soap. It is made with juniper tar oil, obtained from the juniper tree. If you are going to use the soap for your skin; You should apply it by gently massaging your skin.
Or if you are going to use it for your hair; You should apply it to your previously cleaned hair by massaging and wait for 6-7 minutes. Then you should wash it with plenty of water. You can see the positive effects by using the soap every 2-3 days.
What are the Benefits of Tar?
It is necessary to use it for 2-3 months to benefit from the tar oil, which is very effective in the treatment of various diseases thanks to its rich content. Likewise, the use of soap should be carried out consistently.
- In the medical world, the use of drugs containing tar oil for the treatment of eczema is recommended by some doctors to their patients.
- It is recommended to use tar oil, which shows its effect in a short time, especially in scabies. It is also known that it has a stopping effect on the progression of the disease.
- This oil, which helps digestion, is also an effective way to eliminate the problem of diarrhea.
- You can speed up the healing process if you apply tar oil, which has a cell regenerative quality, on your wounds.
- Thanks to its vasoconstrictor feature, it is effective in stopping bleeding.
- This oil is also a very effective substance for skin health.
- If you are feeling exhausted and looking for a solution to this situation, you can feel more energetic by drinking a mixture of water and tar oil.
- The busy and stressful pace of life is quite tiring for all of us. If you want to get rid of the stress that negatively affects your life, you can notice the effects about 30-40 minutes after drinking a mixture of water and tar oil.
- Tar soap, which has antiseptic properties, strengthens the hair root, accelerates hair growth, and is preferred in the treatment of baldness and ringworm, is made with tar oil. It also stops dandruff.
- Soap with an aphrodisiac effect (stimulating effect on sex hormones); It is good for skin irritations, itching and skin disorders such as scabies.
- Tar soap is an effective germ killer.
- Tar soap is therapeutic for cellulite, acne and blackhead problems, which are especially bothersome for women.
It is possible to talk about the effects of soap destroying skin spots. - If you complain that your skin is excessively oily, you can get rid of this situation by using tar soap and restore the moisture balance of your skin.
- You can also say goodbye to your freckles by using the soap regularly and consistently.
- This soap is also good for rheumatism and varicose pains.
- Those who have eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo (ala disease) and fungal problems can use tar soap.
- Tar soap can be used to relieve inflammation in cystitis (infection of the bladder and urinary tract by bacteria).
- The deep cleansing effect of tar soap provides many positive effects on the skin, and it can also be preferred for removing foot odor.
- The smell of the soap also helps to remove some insects (such as ticks, mosquitoes) from the environment.
What are the Harms of Tar?
As a result of the researches, it was seen that the tar soap did not have any side effects. However, in some cases, its use is not recommended as it may have harmful effects.
- The use of tar soap is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.
- It is known that if individuals with sensitive skin use soap, it can cause irritation in the body.
- People with kidney problems are advised not to use tar soap.