Antonio Mcgowan
Balsam fragrance oil, also known as balsam of Peru, is derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree, which is indigenous to El Salvador. The name Peru balsam is a misnomer, as the tree is not native to Peru but became invasive there after it was collected in Central America and shipped to Europe via Peru in the 17th century. The process of obtaining balsam of Peru involves soaking rags in the resin after removing strips of bark from the tree trunk, then boiling the rags and separating the balsam from the water. This results in an aromatic, dark brown, oily fluid with a sweet scent and notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and earthy tones. It is used in cosmetics, candles, perfumes, food and drink flavouring, and medicine due to its healing properties. However, it is also known to be a common allergen, causing reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching.
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What You'll Learn
Balsam of Peru
The name "Balsam of Peru" is a misnomer. During the early period of the Spanish conquest of Central and South America, the balsam was collected in Central America and shipped to Callao, the port of Lima, in Peru, before being shipped on to Europe. The name "Peru" was acquired because of this shipping route. Its export to Europe was first documented in the seventeenth century in the German pharmacopoeia. Today, it is mainly exported from El Salvador.
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Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae
Balsam of Peru is used in a variety of products, including food and drink for flavoring, perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties. It is also used in scented tobacco, cleaning products, pesticides, insect repellents, air fresheners, deodorizers, scented candles, and oil paint.
Due to its potential to cause allergic reactions, Balsam of Peru may be listed on product ingredient labels by one of its various names. It is often not required to be listed by name due to mandatory labeling conventions, and in fragrances, it may simply be covered by a general listing of "fragrance." To determine if a product contains Balsam of Peru, doctors or consumers may need to contact the manufacturer.
In March 2006, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products issued an opinion confirming that crude Balsam of Peru should not be used as a fragrance ingredient due to its sensitizing potential. However, extracts and distillates can be used up to a maximum level of 0.4% in products. The name "Balsam of Peru" is a misnomer, as the balsam was historically collected in Central America and shipped to Europe via Peru, acquiring its name from this trade route.
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Biblical Balm of Gilead
The Biblical Balm of Gilead is a symbolic ointment mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Genesis 37:25 and the Book of Jeremiah. In the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah asks God why he hasn't supplied the balm to heal his people. The balm is also mentioned metaphorically as the only thing that can save people from a disastrous fate, alluding to Jesus Christ.
The balm itself is believed to have been a high-quality ointment with healing properties, made from resin taken from a flowering plant in the Middle East, although the exact species is unknown. It is said to have been a mixture of herbs and spices, including resin, beeswax, balsam, and poplar tree juices. The balm was also combined with other ingredients, such as licorice and honey, to increase its potency for medicinal purposes.
The name "Balm of Gilead" comes from the region of Gilead, which was located east of the Jordan River and was known for its spices and ointments. The balm was also called the "Balsam of Mecca" and was believed to have been related to the balsam poplar, a plant found in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in ancient Palestine east of the Jordan River.
The Biblical Balm of Gilead has inspired many literary and cultural allusions, including references in "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe and the movie "The Spitfire Grill." It is also the subject of an African-American spiritual that compares the healing balm to the saving power of Jesus.
In modern times, the term "balm" is used to describe an aromatic, medicinal substance derived from plants, similar to the original Balm of Gilead, which was valued for its healing properties in the ancient world.
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Benzoic or cinnamic acid
The name "balsam" comes from the Latin "balsamum", meaning "gum of the balsam tree". It is a fragrant resin, or sap, that forms on certain types of trees and shrubs. It is a solution of plant-specific resins in plant-specific solvents (essential oils).
Balsam contains benzoic or cinnamic acid or their esters. Benzoic acid is found in Balsam of Peru, also known as Peru balsam, which is derived from the tree Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae, found in El Salvador. It is a dark brown oily fluid with a sweet scent. Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavouring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceuticals for healing properties. It is also used in scented tobacco, cleaning products, pesticides, insect repellents, air fresheners, deodorizers, scented candles, and oil paint.
Cinnamic acid is a fragrance ingredient used in many fragrance compounds. It is a white, colourless, crystalline powder with a honey, floral odour. It is used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps, and other toiletries, as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents.
Due to its potential to cause allergies, the European Commission has stated that crude balsam of Peru should not be used as a fragrance ingredient. However, extracts and distillates can be used up to a maximum level of 0.4% in products.
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Styrax balsam
Styrax has a pleasant, floral, balsamic smell and has been used as a fragrance for thousands of years, including in ancient Greece and by the Arabs in the 13th century. Today, styrax and its derivatives are used as fragrances, as well as in pharmaceuticals and as a flavouring agent.
In North Africa, women burn styrax, along with benzoin, for mystical purposes. Styrax is also used as incense, similar to frankincense, and has expectorant and soothing properties.
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Frequently asked questions
The name "balsam" comes from the Latin "balsamum", meaning "fragrant balm". Therefore, "fragrant balm" can be considered another name for balsam fragrance oil. Balsam fragrance oil can also be referred to as balsam of Peru, Peru balsam, or simply "balsam".
Balsam of Peru is a balsam derived from the tree Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae, which is native to El Salvador. It is used in food, drink, perfumes, toiletries, medicine, and pharmaceuticals.
Balsam of Peru has a sweet scent with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and earthy tones.
Yes, balsam of Peru is known to be a common allergen and can cause allergic contact dermatitis, stomatitis, cheilitis, redness, swelling, soreness, itching, and blisters.
