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Story: Plant extracts

Totarol

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Totarol

The compound totarol was first found in the heartwood of dead tōtara trees. It has no taste, and little smell. It acts against bacteria in dental plaque, and also seems to be effective against acne.

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Totarol

by Kurt Mende

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How to cite this page

Nigel Perry, Plant extracts – Toxic and commercial compounds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14467/totarol (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nigel Perry, published 2 March 2009.