General method of separating resins is dependant upon the plant part associated with the resin, its preferred use, composition and its physical properties. While resins directly collected from the plants are natural resins (mastich, benzoin), those prepared from the plant parts by processing are called prepared resins (Podophyllin, Jalap resin).

1. Mostly resins have been collected from woody plants by methods collectively called tapping. While some resins are formed without injury, many are formed pathologically in response to an external stimulus. Yield of even those resins that naturally ooze out of the plant can be enhanced by making an injury. Insects puncture the plant tissue as in the case of ammoniacum resin causing an abundant exudation from the stem.
2. Hence it has been a common practice to first bruise the plant tissue using a sharp instrument. This stimulates the flow of the resin from the injured tissue, which is directed to flow into containers. The injury and collection is continued to cover the entire surface of the tree by which time the flow slackens. Quality of resin collected from the first year is usually different from that collected from a tree on the point of exhaustion. Sustainable collection practices are preferred due to the damage caused to the tree.
3. When the resin is associated with a large quantity of volatile oil, it is processed for separation of the same as in the case of colophony. Crude turpentine tapped from the trees is warmed with water to remove floating unwanted plant debris. It is then distilled when the volatile oil—oil of turpentine distills—over along with water. The melted resin is then taken for solidification. This constitutes amber or colophony resin.
4. Resins such as Guaiacum were collected by burning one end of the felled tree trunk. This generates a copious flow of the resin from the entire wood tissue. It may also be collected by extracting the wood pieces with alcohol.
5. Resins like mastich lose a part of their volatile oil content by atmospheric evaporation as they get solidified after oozing out of the plant tissue.
6. Oleoresins like Canada turpentine, Copaiba are collected as such and volatile oil is an important part of their composition and use.
7. Resins like that of podophyllum rhizome are collected by pouring an alcoholic extract of the powdered plant material into acidulated water. Because of its insolubility in water the resin precipitates. It is collected by filtration or centrifugation, washed with water and dried.
8. The resin may be associated with the fruit as in the case of dragon’s blood, it having exuded and hardened between the imbricated scales found on its surface. The fruits are beaten and shaken together to separate the scales of red resin. They are then mixed with water and the separated resin is made into balls or pressed into moulds.
9. Resinous crust deposited by lac insects on the twigs of trees is similarly collected by breaking them away from the plant part. It is then purified by treating with water or dilute alkaline solution after which the separated resin is evaporated to dryness in thin layers.