PRODUCT NO.: 1-0100 GCC: VA-GP
COMMON NAME: Benzoin Absolute, Gum Benzoin, Gum Benjamin, Siam Benzoin
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Styrax tonkinensis
FAMILY NAME: Stryaceae
INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Laos, Vietnam
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Thailand, Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, China
HISTORY INFORMATION: Used for thousands of years in the East as a medicine and incense. Europeans used it for respiratory problems. In southern Asia, it was traditionally used for healing the wound of circumcision. Used as a fixative in fragrances, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, and as a preservative to extend the shelf-life of certain ointments. Benzoin tincture, known as friar's balsam, is used for respiratory inhalation.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Benzoin absolute is not water soluble and should never be used in bath therapy, as it will cling to the tub and have to be chipped off. If used in a spray mist based in water, it will ruin the mister. A species of benzoin (Styrax benzoin dryander) is often used to paint the skin of patients in operating rooms before surgery. It is antiseptic and makes the skin taut. Incisions become easier to make and repair. There are many species of Styrax and they all produce a benzoin which is categorized into two main classes: Sumatra and Siam. An essential oil is obtained by alcohol extraction from Siam benzoin. The "almond" grade is considered the best quality. Benzoin (Styrax tonkinensisis) is sometimes confused with another oil called Styrax or Storax (Liquidambar orientalis). They are quite different, so we will always refer to Styrax tonkinensis as Benzoin and Liquidambar orientalis as Storax to avoid any confusion.
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A large tropical tree growing to 115 feet with pale green, citrus-like leaves, whitish underneath, bearing fragrant white flowers that produce hard-shelled, somewhat flat fruit. The gum is grayish to yellow with red streaks. It is the red streaks that are aromatic.
PARTS PROCESSED: Tree resin, pathologically gathered.
PROCESSING METHODS: Solvent extracted
COLOR RANGE: Orange brown.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Ester. Primarily benzoic acid (up to 70%), coniferyl benzoate, vanillin.
YIN\YANG: Yin
PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, styptic, vulnerary. Used primarily as an inhalant for respiratory afflictions: asthma, bronchitis, coughs, laryngitis, lung infections and for some skin problems (but great care in usage needs to be followed because it could be a powerful skin sensitizer).
MENTAL USES: I can handle life's changes. I can breath fully into whatever life brings me.
EMOTIONAL USES: Feeling sad, full of grief and sorrow, fatigued TO happy, at peace, contented.
SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are holding sorrow and grief in your lungs. You have experienced loss, and you have not thoroughly released your grief. Breath symbolizes spirit. Breathing in and out symbolizes the very basic nature of life. It is the living Tao or yin and yang. Very often, breathing difficulties are not because you can't get the air in, but because you cannot get the air out. There is mucous or other obstructions holding the breath in so that new air cannot get in. Air is the one aspect that we cannot do without. We can go without water, food, shelter, clothes for a while, but once air is cut off, we only have minutes. You can breathe through whatever life brings you. It is time to release the emotional trauma that holds you so tightly. It is time to become more spirit filled. It is time to surrender to life, knowing you are fully grounded in life and spirit. You are, and you always have been and shall be. Supports the heart, solar plexus, and lung chakras.
APPLICATIONS: NEVER USE IN WATER (see Gen. Info. Above), inhalation, oil facial mask, perfume, pillows, potpourri.
WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Skin sensitizer, cross-sensitization with Peru Balsam, safe in fragrances.
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