Tolu Balsam Essential Oil
Balsam Tolu is a tall graceful tropical tree, similar in apperance to the Peru balsam tree. It is a ‘true’ balsam. The balsam tree has an average height of 70 feet, with a straight trunk, generally rising to a height of 40 feet before it branches. The balsam is a pathological product, obtained by making V-shaped incisions into the bark and sap wood, often after the trunk has been beaten and scorched. Below this V-shaped cut the bark and wood is a little hollowed out, and a calabash of the size and shape of a deep tea-cup is fixed. This arrangement is repeated, so that as many as 20 calabashes may be seen on various parts of the same trunk. When the lower part has been too much wounded to give space for any fresh incisions, a rude scaffold is sometimes erected, and a new series of notches made higher up.
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| Botanical Name: | Myroxylon balsamum (L.)Harms Var. balsamum |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Synonyms: | Toluifera balsamum, balsamum tolutanum, salsamum americanum, myrospermum toluferum, Thomas balsam, resin tolu, opobalsam. |
| See Also: | |
| Parts Used: | Crude balsam |
| Extraction Method: | Steam distilled |
| Appearance: | Pale yellow brown liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Sweet, floral, slight peppery |
| Perfume note: | |
| Consistancy: | Medium |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
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| Historical Uses: | Has been recommended for chronic catarrh, laryngitis and croup. Used in some cough preparations as an expectorant. |
| Modern Uses: | Useful for dry, chapped skin, eczema, rashes, scabies and for catarrh, bronchitis, coughs and laryngitis. Also used as a fixative and fragrance in perfumes. |
| Cautions: | Non toxic, non irritant, possible sensitizer. |
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