Common Name: Benzoin

General Information

Benzoin is an aromatic, evergreen tree growing from 8 - 34 metres tall with a slightly buttressed bole that can be from 10 - 100cm in diameter[]. The plant excretes a fragrant balsam on being bruised[].
This species is the main source of the fragrant gum, benzoin[]. Traditionally, this has been gathered from the wild for local medicinal use[]. It first gained popularity in Europe towards the end of the 16th century, and now finds extensive use worldwide as an incense and in the flavour, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries[]. It is probably best known as an ingredient of the herbal preparation 'Friar's Balsam'[]. It is cultivated for its gum in tropical Asia[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Tropical rainforests[]. Rich woodlands and swamps in Sumatra[]. Prefers mixed primary forest with rich clayey soils[]. It is less common in dense secondary forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland, moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations of 100 - 700 metres, exceptionally to 1,600 metres[]. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is usually 1,500 - 2,200 mm, with no distinct dry season (or only a few drier months)[]. However, under cultivation it will thrive in areas with mean annual rainfall as low as 1,300 mm with 3 - 6 dry months[]. The mean annual temperature in its natural range is 15 - 26°c, but it can tolerate extremes as low as 4°c and as high as 45°c for a short period[].
Prefers a moist but well-drained lime-free, loamy soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[]. Grows best in the company of other trees and shrubs, so long as root competition is not too intense[].

Edible Uses

The gum from the bark 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[].

Medicinal

Benzoin gum contains variable quantities of cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresinolinic acid esters; free acids such as benzoic acid; benzaldehyde and vanillin[]. The gum is strongly antiseptic, carminative, expectorant and astringent[, ]. In Chinese medicine it is considered to be a circulatory stimulant[].
Taken internally, the gum acts to settle griping pains, to stimulate coughing and to disinfect the urinary tract[]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore throats[].
In the form of a tincture, benzoin 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 gum is obtained from deep incisions made in the bark of trees that are at least 7 years old[].

The gum is used in aromatherapy, where it is considered to be a sedative[].

Benzoin gum is an ingredient of the proprietary preparation 'Friar's Balsam'[]. This is an antiseptic and expectorant steam inhalation for sore throats, head and chest colds, asthma and bronchitis[].

Other Uses

The gum is used as an antioxidant in cosmetics and a fixative in perfumes[]. The better grades of benzoin are extracted for the manufacture of fragrant products[]. These include 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 gum 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 gum is used as an incense or for making joss sticks[]. Most commonly, small or crushed pieces of the raw benzoin, in semi-processed block form, are simply placed on an open fire, either in the house or in the place of worship[]. Sometimes it is mixed with other natural fragrance resins such as frankincense (Boswellia spp.), myrrh (Copaifera spp.) and storax (Liquidambar orientalis)[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings of half ripe wood.

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