2. Balsams
• Are resinous mixtures that have large
proportions of Benzoic acid, cinnamic acid or
both; can also be esters of these acids.
• Medicinal balsams include:
– Peru Balsam
– Tolu Balsam
– Storax Balsam
– Sumatra Benzoin
7. Peruvian Balsam
• Synonyms: China oil, black balsam, Peru
balsam
• Source: Obtained from the trunk ofMyroxylon
pereirae (trunk is beaten and
scorched)
» Myroxylon – From myron (Greek word meaning
ointment)
» Pereirae – from Jonathan Pereira, an English
pharmacognosist.
9. Peruvian Balsam (Collection)
• The balsam is collected from trees that are
around 10 years old in the months of
November to December
• Can be collected via injury (Beating and
scorching)
10. Peruvian Balsam
• Color: Dark brown
• Odor: Aromatic, vanilla-like
• Soluble in chloroform and chloral hydrate
• Sparingly soluble in petroleum ether and
insoluble in water
• Specific gravity: 1.14-1.17
• Not less than 45% and Not more than 70% of
esters.
13. Peruvian Balsam (Constituents)
• Other constituents include:
–28% of resin (peruresinotannol)
–Benzoic acids
–Alcohol (nerolidol, farnesol, benzyl
alcohol)
–Small quantities of vanillin and free
cinnamic acid.
14. Peruvian Balsam (Uses)
• Protectant and rubefacient
• Parasiticide for skin diseases such as scabies
• Antiseptic and vulnerary
• Can be applied externally alone or in alcoholic
solution
• Can also be in an ointment form
17. Tolu Balsam
• Synonyms: Tolu resin, Thomas balsam,
Opobalsam
• Source: Obtained by incision from the trunk of
Myroxylon balsamum
• Family: Leguminosae
• Habitat: West Indies, Cuba, Venezuela,
Colombia
18. Tolu Balsam (Collection)
• The collection of balsam involves V-shaped
incisions in the bark.
• Calabash Cups receive the flow of balsam
from the incision.
• The yield per tree is 8-10 kg.
25. Tolu Balsam (Uses)
• Pharmaceutic aid for compound benzoin
tincture.
• Sometimes used as an expectorant.
• Extensively used as a pleasant flavoring in
syrups.
• Used in chewing gums, perfumes, and
confectionaries.
28. Storax Balsam
• Synonym: Levant Storax, American Storax
• Source: Obtained by bruising and puncturing
the trunk of Liquidambar orientalis
• Family: Hammamelidaceae
• Habitat: Asia Minor (Turkey)
29. Storax Balsam(Collection)
• The collection of Storax primarily takes place
during early summer.
• Involves bruising and puncturing the bark.
• Can also be collected during autumn by
peeling and pressing.
33. Storax Balsam (Constituents)
• Other constituents include:
–Alpha and beta storesin (30% each)
–Cinnamate (10-20%)
–Styracin (5-10%)
–Free cinnamic acid
–Traces of vanillin
34. Storax Balsam (Uses)
• Pharmaceutic aid for compound benzoin
tincture.
• Used as a stimulant and expectorant
• Also used as an antiseptic
• Has a dose of 1g when used internally.
37. Siam Benzoin
• Synonym: Thailand Benzoin
• Source: Obtained by incision from the trunk of
Styrax tonkinesis
• Family: Styracaceae
• Habitat: East Indies and Southeastern Asia
(Thailand, Northern Laos, Northern
Vietnam)
38. Siam Benzoin (Collection)
• The collection of benzoin involves incisions in
the bark of Styrax tonkinesis.
• After 2 months, the exuding resin becomes
less sticky and firm enough to collect.
• Separate tears are scraped from trees.
• New incisions are made until the trees die.
• Resins are only produced after the incision.
40. Siam Benzoin
• Color: Yellowish white to red; turns to brown
due to oxidation.
• Occurrence: A plastic solid that gradually
hardens; becoming brown.
• Odor: Agreeable; vanilla-like
• Size: A few mm to 3cm.
46. Sumatra Benzoin
• Synonym: Indonesia Benzoin, Gum Benjamin
• Source: Obtained from the incised stem of
Styrax benzoin
• Family: Styracaceae
• Habitat: Sumatra (Western Indonesia), Java,
Borneo
47. Sumatra Benzoin (Collection)
• Triangular incisions are made on the stem in a
vertical row.
• The first secretion is very sticky and is rejected
• After making further incisions, a harder
secretion is obtained. (almond tears).
• Further incision, after 3 months yields a more
fluid secretion.
