Synonyms. - Huile de Cade. Juniper Tar Oil. A product of the dry distillation of the wood of Juniperus Oxycedrus Linne (nat. ord. Coniferae).

Habitat

Mediterranean districts of North Africa, Spain, Portugal and France; in waste places and on stony hill-sides.

Characters

A brownish or dark brown, clear, thick liquid, having a tarry odor, and an empyreumatic, burning, somewhat bitter taste. Sp. gr., about 0.990.

Solubility

Almost insoluble in water; only partially soluble in Alcohol, but is completely soluble in Ether, Chloroform, or Carbon Di-sulphide.

Composition

Probably much the same as that of Tar.

Action And Therapeutics Of Oil Of Cade

Oil of cade has the same action on the skin as tar, but it is preferable, as the odor is pleasanter. The diseases treated by the application of it are psoriasis, chronic eczema, and pruritus. A usual formula is oil of cade, 1; soft soap, 4; alcohol, 4; but an ointment made by melting with it an equal part of yellow wax, is a more agreeable preparation.