BENZOIN Tincture | Styrax paralleloneurus

Benzoin resin contains variable quantities of Cinnamic, Benzoic and Sumaresinolinic Acid Esters, free acids such as Benzoic Acid, Benzaldehyde and Vanillin. The tincture is strongly antiseptic, carminative, expectorant and astringent. In Chinese medicine it is considered to be a circulatory stimulant. Taken internally, the tincture acts to settle griping pains, to stimulate coughing and to disinfect the urinary tract. It is used in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis and sore throats.

Friars Balsam is inhaled with steam for the relief of catarrh, laryngitis, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract disorders. It is used externally on wounds and ulcers to tighten and disinfect the affected tissue. It is also used for the prevention and treatment of cold sores, for the treatment of warts and to freshen and soothe dry skin and ameliorate skin allergies. The resin is obtained from deep incisions made in the bark of trees. The resin is used in ceremony, where it is considered to be a sedative. The tincture is also used topically by athletes to toughen up skin on the palm of the hands and soles of the feet.

The tincture is used as a flavouring in the food industry. It is used particularly in the manufacture of chocolate flavours for chocolate bars, ice-cream, milk products, syrups and other products. It is popular in Scandinavia as a flavouring in baked goods containing Vanilla or Cassia, where it also serves to 'fix' the other flavours and increase their spiciness.

The tincture is used as an antioxidant in cosmetics and a fixative in perfumes. The premium grades of Benzoin are extracted for the manufacture of fragrant resins and perfumes. Other grades are used in personal health care products such as toilet soaps, shampoos, body lotions and creams; and household and other products such as liquid soaps, air fresheners and washing detergents. One of the important functions of the tincture is to serve as a fixative for the other fragrance materials, increasing the tenacity and preventing loss of the middle and top notes of the more volatile components. The resin is often used as a sacred incense and for making incense sticks. Most commonly, small or crushed pieces of the raw Benzoin are simply placed on a lit charcoal disc, either in the house or in the place of worship. Sometimes it is mixed with other natural fragrance resins such as Frankincense (Boswellia sacra), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) and Storax (Liquidambar orientalis).