This species has at times been treated as two distinct species (Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms and Myroxylon pereirae (Harms) Klotzsch), but is now more commonly treated as two varieties of the same species, a treatment we are following here. This record is for the main species (commonly known as Tolu Balsam), see Myroxylon balsamum pereirae for the form commonly known as Peru Balsam.

Common Name: Tolu Balsam

General Information

Myroxylon balsamum is a slow-growing, emergent tree of the rainforest that can reach a height of 45 metres but is usually smaller[]. It has a round, sometimes open, crown with dense foliage and a bole that can be up to 1 metre in diameter[, ].
A valuable multi-purpose tree, yielding a valuable gum resin, a valuable timber and having a range of medicinal and other uses. The best form of the gum is generally considered to come from the var Myroxylon balsamum pereirae (see separate entry). This gum has a long history of use by local people as a medicine and is also widely used in modern herbal medicine, as an incense, perfume etc[, ]. It is commonly gathered from the wild, but the tree is also sometimes cultivated for its gum, which is traded internationally[]. The tree is widely grown as an ornamental in the tropics, especially as a shade tree along the sides of roads[].

Known Hazards

At least six clinical studies published in recent years indicate that balsam can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions reported are generally skin rashes and dermatitis when the balsam comes into contact with the skin - even in small amounts found in soaps, perfumes, and other common body care products[]. These allergic reactions are attributed to the gum's benzoic acids, which some people are highly sensitive to[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - western Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, north through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

An emergent tree in evergreen tropical humid forests in low to medium elevations from 100 to 600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist to wet lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 700 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 16 - 32°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,700mm, but tolerates 1,350 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating some shade[]. Prefers a well-drained soil[]. Plants can succeed on poor soils if they are well-drained[]. Grows on mildly acid soils, preferring a pH in the range 5 - 8[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 8[].
Seedlings grow to 2.5 metres tall within 2 years[]. Trees can attain a height of 10 metres in 10 - 12 years, and 20 metres in 25 years[].
The trees are not a profitable source of balsam until about their 15th year[]. Under proper management, trees can yield gum for 30 - 40 years[]. Gum harvesting begins on 20 - 30 year old trees with a minimum diameter of 12 - 15 cm[].
Trees commence flowering when about 5 years old[].
Twenty year old trees yield about 3 kg of gum per year[]. Wild populations are the major sources of Peru and tolu balsam. Gum harvesting is often drastic and may cause serious tree injury or deaths[].
There are various methods used to obtain the gum:-
1). Numerous V-shaped incisions are made in the bark, being careful not to girdle the tree[]. The balsam flows through the incisions, into vases[].
2). A section of bark 15 - 25 cm in size is removed from the tree at about 30 cm above the ground[]. The wound is covered with a piece of cotton cloth to absorb the liquid. When the natural flow ceases, scorching stimulates it. The impregnated rags are then boiled in water and pressed[].
3). Trees are burned at the base. Strips of bark are pulled off, crushed and placed in hot water to soften the balsam and facilitate its flow. The cooled balsam sinks to the bottom and can be separated[].
4). Sections of the tree trunk are beaten with a wooden club and then vertical incisions 8 cm wide are made in the bark. A few days later the incisions are heated with fire to stimulate gum flow, but the incisions are not burned. Rags are placed over the incisions and removed when they are saturated. Crude presses are used to extract gum from the rags[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic, slightly bitter gums obtained from this plant are used as a flavouring in soft drinks, confectionaries, ice cream and chewing gums[, ].

The essential oil is used in flavouring baked goods. Its fragrance is attributed to vanillin, coumarin, cinnamic and benzoic acids[].

Medicinal

The tree has a long history of use by local people, who used the leaves and fruit in the treatment of asthma, colds and flu, rheumatism, and external wounds[]. The sap is used for treating colds and lung ailments, abscesses, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, headache, rheumatism, sores, sprains, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and wounds[].
Many of these traditional uses have been borne out by modern research[]. The balsam of both varieties have been documented to have antiseptic, antiparasitic, and antibacterial properties as well as to promote the growth of epithelial (tissue) cells[].
In studies, the plants have been reported to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as the common ulcer-causing bacteria, H. Pylori in test-tube studies[].
The essential oil contains benzoic and cinnamic acid esters. These are believed to be the main active constituents of the balsam[].

Modern herbalism values tolu balsam, which is obtained from var balsamum, as a feeble expectorant used in cough mixtures and as an inhalant for catarrh and bronchitis[]. Balsam of tolu was included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1820 and is used much as Peru balsam[]. In addition, it is a cough suppressant and respiratory aid used in cough lozenges and syrups, for sore throats, and as a vapour inhalant for respiratory ailments[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Tolu Balsam is a good shade tree and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen[]. It is sometimes grown to provide shade in coffee plantations[].

Other Uses

'Tolu Balsam' exudes from injuries to the trunk and is obtained by cutting 'v'-shaped gashes in the bark. The fresh balsam is a soft, tenacious, yellowish-brown mass, but gradually hardens and eventually becomes brittle. It has a pleasant, fragrant odour and a balsamic taste. The balsam contains about 80% resin[]..
The balsam is used in perfumery and for medicinal purposes. It has also been used as an adulterant for the more valuable 'Peru balsam' obtained from Myroxylon balsamum var pereirae[].
The balsam extracted from the trunkt is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume[].
The essential oil extracted from the balsmat obtained from the plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume[].
The oleoresin extracted from the trunk is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a film former, masking agent and hair conditioner[].

Balsam gum contains about 60% cinnamein, an essential oil extracted by steam distillation[]. It is used as incense in churches and as a hair set and thickening agent[]. The oil is also used in high-grade perfume, cosmetic and soap industries[]. Its fragrance is attributed to vanillin, coumarin, cinnamic and benzoic acids[].

The essential oil contains about 60% cinnamein, a volatile oil that is extracted by steam distillation and used commercially in the perfume, cosmetic, and soap industries[].

The powdered bark is used as an underarm deodorant[].

The heartwood is reddish brown, turning deep red or purplish upon exposure, and has a spicy scent, it is sharply demarcated from the very pale yellow to white sapwood. The texture is medium to fine; the grain interlocked; lustre is medium; there is no distinct taste but a slightl distinctive aroma. The wood is moderately difficult to work, but can be finished smoothly with a high natural polish, and is very resistant to fungal decay. It is used for flooring, furniture, cabinetwork, turnery and railroad ties[, , ]. The wood is not commercially marketed[].

Propagation

Seed - it is mainly propagated through natural regeneration but seed can also be planted in a mixture of clay and organic matter to a depth of 5mm, covered with fine soil and watered daily[]. Germination beds or containers should be partially shaded[]. Seeds germinate in 15 - 30 days with a success rate of over 50%[]. Seedlings are ready for planting out in 5 months[].
Natural regeneration is abundant mainly under the crown of parent trees, where seeds attain up to 80 percent germination[]. Few of these seedlings ever reach maturity because of the low light levels in the forest[].
Fruits must be soaked in running water for 24 hours in order to soften the pericarp and facilitate seed extraction[].
The presence of high levels of coumarin in the cotyledons and embryonic axis seems to have no effect on the germination of this species, but it seems to act as an allelopathic factor[].

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