The benzoin (Styrax benzoin) is a plant belonging to the botanical family of Styracaceae. It is an exotic tree native to the Indonesian archipelago, today widespread mainly in the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, where in addition to growing spontaneously, it is cultivated to extract the resin. This plant, in fact, is famous throughout the world for the medicinal and perfumed resin that is obtained from its trunk, called precisely benzoin resin, Sumatran resin or styrax resin.
In this article we know the botanical characteristics ofbenzoin treethe methods of extraction of the resin, its properties and practical uses.
Benzoin description
The Styrax benzoin it is a tree about 10-15 meters high, with a straight trunk that reaches 40-50 cm in diameter. The bark of the trunk is brownish, while that of the branches is reddish and tomentose due to the presence of stellate hairs.
Leaves
The leaves of the plant are alternate with a medium-sized petiole. The flap is oval-spatulate, the apex is pointed, the margin is notched. The upper surface is dark green, hairless and shiny. The lower one is velvety and has the main and secondary ribs of a pink color.
Flowers
The flowers, gathered in clusters, arranged at the end of the branches or at the axil of the leaves, have the calyx divided into five green sepals. The corolla is tubular and divided at the apex into five lanceolate white-pink lobes.
Fruits
The benzoin fruit is a flattened ovoid drupe, reddish-brown in color, containing a woody stone.
How resin is extracted from benzoin
Benzoin resin is obtained by making deep V-shaped incisions in the bark of the trunk and main branches. From these incisions exudes a liquid that dries in the air, a bit like it happens for a plant more common to us, namely the manna ash. After five or six months the resin is collected, detaching it by means of special knives.
How Sumatran resin is made
In herbal medicine, styrax resin comes in the form of masses consisting of exuded and solidified yellowish tears, held together by a brown mass that often contains pieces of bark.
Active ingredients and properties of the resin
The main constituents of the benzoin resin are: free and esterified benzoic acid, cinnamyl derivatives, gummy substances, essential oil.
From these active principles derive the following properties: flavoring, astringent, antiseptic, deodorant, antioxidant.
What benzoin is used for
The resin is very used in perfumery, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, mostly for external use.
Perfumery
Benzoin has excellent odorous properties, it is in fact an excellent perfume fixer and an effective preservative of some fatty substances, which prevents oxidation. It is therefore perfect for aromatherapy.
Cosmetics
The cosmetic industry also exploits its valid astringent and, above all, depigmenting properties, with products to lighten freckles and skin spots in general. Cosmetic preparations containing benzoin are used when you want to obtain a lightening effect on reddened skin, but also as a deodorant and purifying. These latter prerogatives are also exploited in toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Pharmacy
In pharmacies, benzoin enters the composition of preparations useful for disinfecting small wounds of the skin and mucous membranes, for chilblains, breast fissures and burns.
The resin is also a specific remedy for some minor ailments of the respiratory system, using it in mother tincture. In fact, it is enough to dissolve a few drops in boiling water and do balsamic and expectorant inhalations in case of colds, throat irritations, catarrhal coughs.
Home use of benzoin
Benzoin mother tincture is simple to prepare. The resin is finely ground in a mortar and macerated in alcohol for food use for 10 days, shaking often. The proportion is 20 g of resin in 100 ml of alcohol. At the end of the maceration period, it should be filtered and stored in dark glass bottles.
The tincture can be used for respiratory diseases, as seen above, but also to perfume and purify environments.
For cosmetic use, for reddened skin and freckles, dissolve 1.5 g of tincture in 100 ml of rose water. The product thus obtained is called milk of venus and is applied to the affected parts with a cotton swab.
If you want to buy benzoin resin the found on sale in herbalist’s shops or in specialized shops.
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