Benzoin Essential Oil
Benzoin is from a large tropical tree up to 20m high with pale green leaves. Has been used in the Orient for incense and medicine. Not strictly an essential oil but a Resinoid, produced from the resin using solvents like alcohol and benzene, which are removed and the result is dissolved in ethyl glycol or similar. The trunk of the tree is hacked with an axe, and after a time the liquid Benzoin either accumulates beneath the bark or exudes from the incisions. When it has sufficiently hardened it is collected and exported. Several varieties are known, but Siam and Sumatra Benzoins are the most important. The first three years' collections give the finest Benzoin; after that the runnings are known as the 'belly,' and finally the tree is cut down and the resin scraped out, this being termed the 'foot.' Siam Benzoin externally is reddish yellow, internally milky white, has an agreeable odour, recalling vanilla, contains benzoic acid but not cinnamic acid. Fine qualities have a strong styrax-like odour, quite distinct from the vanilla odour of the Siamese variety. Sumatra Benzoin contains cinnamic acid.
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| Botanical Name: | Styrax benzoin (Dry.) |
| Family: | Styracaceae |
| Synonyms: | Styrax paralleloneurus (Perkins), Gum benzoin, gum benjamin, styrax benzoin, Siam Benzoin, Sumatra Benzoin, Palembang benzoin |
| See Also: | |
| Parts Used: | Resin |
| Extraction Method: | Solvent extraction |
| Appearance: | Medium to dark brown, semi solid to solid |
| Aroma Description: | Warm, sweet balsamic |
| Perfume note: | Base |
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| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | Bergamot, coriander, frankincense, juniper, lavender, lemon, myrrh, orange, sandalwood. |
| Historical Uses: | Used for many hundreds of years in the East as a medicine. Benzoin, also known as gum Benjamin, is one of the classic ingredients of incense. In ancient civilizations it was used in fumigation. |
| Modern Uses: | Benzoin is helpful for treating asthma, bronchitis, colds & flu, soothing sore throats & treating arthritis, & rheumatism. The antiseptic properties are good for cuts, chapped, inflamed or irritated skin conditions. It acts as a carminative when taken internally is rapidly absorbed, and mildly expectorant diuretic and antiseptic to the urinary passages. In the form of Compound Tincture of Benzoin, it is used as an inhalant with steam in laryngitis and bronchitis. It is a preservative of fats, and is often used for that purpose. Benzoin is an ingredient of 'Friar's balsam', an aid to respiratory problems. |
| Cautions: | Has been known to cause allergic reactions, perform a skin test before use.. |
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