Latin name: Styrax benzoin
Source country: Sumatra
Appearance: Thick, dark brown/red viscous liquid.
Aroma: Languid, deep, aromatic, vanilla like aroma
Derivation: The product is collected as a resin from the tree bark. The resin is then
diluted with a solvent in either 20% or 50% dilution to render it usable. In our case we use
benzyl benzoate to dilute since this is one its constituent chemicals anyway.
Chemicals: The main constituents benzoic and cinnamic acids, benzyl benzoate,
benzoic aldehyde, coniferyl benzoate, and vanillin which gives it its aroma.
Uses: It is used widely as a preservative in the perfume industry. It was one of the major
constituents of “friars balsam” - an expectorant for breathing problems. It is excellent for
the skin helping to heal scar tissue and closing up skin tears such as cuts and chaps. It is
used for muscle and joint pains.. It is a relaxant and is used to help nervous tension.
Note: As with all pure essential oils, dilute appropriately with a suitable carrier oil before
using on the skin. Do not take essential oils internally.
While this oil is diluted to 20%, it should be treated as a pure essential oil when preparing
to put it on the skin.
