The plant contains an essential oil (0.5%) which consists of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids: -pinene, -pinene, 1,4-cineol, fenchone, -humulene, -caryophyllene, trans--bergamotene.
The separation of the oleo-resin into the essential oil (spirit of turpentine) and common rosin is accomplished by distillation in large copper stills.