Styrax benzoin, S. tonkinensis – Plant Family: Styracaceae
Type of plant: Benzoin is a tree growing up over 80 feet high with green-yellow flowers
Part used: Resin
Method of extraction: Solvent extraction
Data: Benzoin is a resin from the tree trunk that is a yellowish color when it initially exudes and darkens as it dries. It has been valued for millennia, especially in the Middle East and Asia. Sometimes called benjamin gum. There are four varieties of tree and oil, although Styrax benzoin dryander is mostly used medicinally, with all types being used in perfumery.
Principal places of production: Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia,
Vietnam, China
When buying look for: An amber-colored, honey-like liquid with a warm,
balsamic, vanilla-like aroma. Benzoin is sometimes labeled in grades.
Therapeutic properties: Antidepressant, antiinflammatory, antiseptic,
carminative, expectorant, pectoral, vulnerary
Therapeutic uses: Catarrh, bronchitis, coughs, colds, scar tissue, nervous
tension, stress, emotional crisis
Blends well with: Bay laurel, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, chamomile german, coriander seed, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, mastic, may chang, myrrh, myrtle, niaouli, nutmeg, orange (sweet), palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rose absolute, sandalwood, tuberose, vanilla, ylang ylang
Precautionary advice: Those with highly sensitive skin and those prone to
allergic skin reactions are advised to carry out a skin patch test.
