Sandarac
Encyclopedia
Sandarac is a resin
obtained from the small cypress-like tree Tetraclinis articulata. The tree is native to the northwest of Africa with a notable presence in the Southern Morocco part of the Atlas mountains
. The resin exudes naturally on the stems of the tree. It is also gotten by making cuts on the bark. It solidifies when exposed to the air. It comes to commerce in the form of small solid chips, translucent, and having a delicate yellow tinge. Morocco has been the main place of origin of sandarac. A similar resin is obtained in southern Australia from some species of the Australian cypress-like trees Callitris
, but the resin has not been systematically collected in Australia.
Historically, especially in the Late Medieval and Renaissance era, sandarac was used to make varnish
. When "varnish" was spoken of in Renaissance Italy (Italian vernice) it usually meant sandarac. Copal
and other resins displaced it as equally good, less expensive varnishing materials. Nevertheless the sandarac varnish is still valued today for use as a protective coating on paintings and antiques. It gives a coat which is hard, lustrous and durable. The varnish is made by melting the resin and mixing it with (e.g.) linseed oil. Sandarac resin melts at about 150°C. to a colourless or slightly yellow liquid. Its specific gravity is about 1.04.
Although it is not very strongly aromatic, sandarac resin was and is also used as an incense. The aroma has been compared to balsam
.
Historically sandarac was also used as a remedy for diarrhea
, particularly in the Middle East, but today this has no medicinal advantage over various other therapies. Furthermore, calligraphers may sprinkle powdered sandarac gum on paper or vellum
to help writing thinner lines.
Besides the resin and the varnish, the word sandarac may refer to the tree that produces the resin. Entirely separately from that, the ancient Greeks used the word sandarac to refer to an arsenic sulfide
. In medieval Europe the term sandaraca also meant red lead
, as well as red arsenic sulfide
. The resin/varnish meaning comes from the medieval Arabs. To distinguish this meaning from the Greek meaning, it was occasionally called "Arabian sandarac" or "sandaracha Arabum" in New Latin
writings. "This represents Arabic sandarus also sandalus, but the Arabic word cannot be native Arabic", says the OED.
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
obtained from the small cypress-like tree Tetraclinis articulata. The tree is native to the northwest of Africa with a notable presence in the Southern Morocco part of the Atlas mountains
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert...
. The resin exudes naturally on the stems of the tree. It is also gotten by making cuts on the bark. It solidifies when exposed to the air. It comes to commerce in the form of small solid chips, translucent, and having a delicate yellow tinge. Morocco has been the main place of origin of sandarac. A similar resin is obtained in southern Australia from some species of the Australian cypress-like trees Callitris
Callitris
Callitris is a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae . There are 15 species in the genus, of which 13 are native to Australia and the other two native to New Caledonia. Traditionally the most widely used common name is cypress-pine, a name shared by the closely related genus Actinostrobus...
, but the resin has not been systematically collected in Australia.
Historically, especially in the Late Medieval and Renaissance era, sandarac was used to make varnish
Varnish
Varnish is a transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing but also for other materials. Varnish is traditionally a combination of a drying oil, a resin, and a thinner or solvent. Varnish finishes are usually glossy but may be designed to produce satin or semi-gloss...
. When "varnish" was spoken of in Renaissance Italy (Italian vernice) it usually meant sandarac. Copal
Copal
Copal is a name given to tree resin that is particularly identified with the aromatic resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and other purposes...
and other resins displaced it as equally good, less expensive varnishing materials. Nevertheless the sandarac varnish is still valued today for use as a protective coating on paintings and antiques. It gives a coat which is hard, lustrous and durable. The varnish is made by melting the resin and mixing it with (e.g.) linseed oil. Sandarac resin melts at about 150°C. to a colourless or slightly yellow liquid. Its specific gravity is about 1.04.
Although it is not very strongly aromatic, sandarac resin was and is also used as an incense. The aroma has been compared to balsam
Balsam
Balsam is a term used for various pleasantly scented plant products, and the plants which produce them. Balsams are oily or gummy oleoresins, usually containing benzoic acid or cinnamic acid, obtained from the exudates of various trees and shrubs and used as a base for some botanical medicines...
.
Historically sandarac was also used as a remedy for diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, particularly in the Middle East, but today this has no medicinal advantage over various other therapies. Furthermore, calligraphers may sprinkle powdered sandarac gum on paper or vellum
Vellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
to help writing thinner lines.
Besides the resin and the varnish, the word sandarac may refer to the tree that produces the resin. Entirely separately from that, the ancient Greeks used the word sandarac to refer to an arsenic sulfide
Arsenic sulfide
Arsenic sulfide may refer to:*Arsenic trisulfide, As2S3, the mineral orpiment*Tetraarsenic tetrasulfide, As4S4, the mineral realgar*Tetraarsenic trisulfide, As4S3, occurs as the minerals α- and β- dimorphite...
. In medieval Europe the term sandaraca also meant red lead
Red lead
Lead tetroxide, also called minium, red lead or triplumbic tetroxide, is a bright red or orange crystalline or amorphous pigment. Chemically, red lead is lead tetroxide, Pb3O4, or 2PbO·PbO2....
, as well as red arsenic sulfide
Realgar
Realgar, α-As4S4, is an arsenic sulfide mineral, also known as "ruby sulphur" or "ruby of arsenic". It is a soft, sectile mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, or in granular, compact, or powdery form, often in association with the related mineral, orpiment . It is orange-red in colour, melts...
. The resin/varnish meaning comes from the medieval Arabs. To distinguish this meaning from the Greek meaning, it was occasionally called "Arabian sandarac" or "sandaracha Arabum" in New Latin
New Latin
The term New Latin, or Neo-Latin, is used to describe the Latin language used in original works created between c. 1500 and c. 1900. Among other uses, Latin during this period was employed in scholarly and scientific publications...
writings. "This represents Arabic sandarus also sandalus, but the Arabic word cannot be native Arabic", says the OED.