Styrax benzoin resin, from India. Benzoin is properly called a resinoid; this benzoin is thick at room temperature. The process of extracting Benzoin Resinoid begins with making deep incisions in the tree trunk, allowing the grayish sap to exude and harden into a resinous lump. Once the resin becomes hard and brittle, it is meticulously collected from the bark, cleaned, and processed through solvent extraction to yield a thick, rich oil.
Gum Benjamin, or Benzoin, is one of the classic ingredients of incense, and in ancient times, it was used as a fumigator. It is the primary ingredient in Friar's Balsam and was medicinally used to paint sore throats and mouth ulcers. In cosmetic use, it was the additive to rosewater for the centuries-old facial cleanser and toner known as Virgin's Milk, and the ladies of the Royal House of Windsor attributed their beautiful complexions to the use of Friar's Balsam in freshly made barley water.
Aroma: Rich, warm, slightly woody, creamy, vanilla.
Description: The Benzoin tree originates in Java, Sumatra and Thailand where it can grow up to 8 meters (20 feet). Deep incisions are made in the trunk of the tree from which the greyish colour sap exudes. When the resinous lump becomes hard and brittle, it is collected from the bark.
Colour: Golden Brown
Consistency: Thick, warming suggested to pour
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Light
Common Uses: The main constituent of Benzoin Essential Oil is benzoic acid, which has properties that are antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, deodorant, diuretic and expectorant. The sweet resin is widely used as a fixative in perfumes but has also been used medicinally for respiratory ailments, and skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Possible Uses: Arthritis, bronchitis, chapped skin, coughing, laryngitis, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]
Constituents for Benzoin from Siam: Coniferyl benzoate, benzoic acid, vanillin, siaresinolic acid, cinnamyl benzoate. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 222.]
Safety Information: Possible skin sensitivity and contact dermatitis. [Leung, A.Y. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, 64 as cited in Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 222.]
Photo thanks to Post of Indonesia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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