Peru Balsam

Myroxylon Pereirae, USA 

Balsam Peru A large tropical tree up to 25m high, with straight smooth trunk, beautiful foliage and very fragrant flowers. Every part of the tree including the fibrous fruit, contains a resinous juice. It is obtained from exposed lacerated wood, after strips of the bark have been removed. It is a ‘true’ balsam, which is collected in the form of a dark brown or amber semi-solid mass.The mesocarp of the fruit is fibrous, and the balsamic juice which is abundant is contained in two distinct receptacles, one on each side. The beans contain Coumarin, the husks an extremely acrid bitter resin, and a volatile oil; a gum resin, quite distinct from the proper balsam, exudes from the trunk of the tree and contains gum resin and a volatile oil; the tree commences to be productive after five or six years, and continues to yield for thirty years; the flower has a fragrance which can be smelt a hundred yards away. The process of extraction produces three grades of balsam; the title 'Balsam of Peru' is derived from the fact of its being shipped from Peru. There are several fictitious Peruvian balsams found in commerce, but they do not contain the same properties. Balsam of Peru is warm and aromatic, much hotter and more stimulating than Balsam of Copaiba and is used for similar complaints. 

Properties -Stimulant, expectorant, parasiticide, asthma, bronchitis, nervous tension, stress, rashes, eczema.

Uses - Used as a fixative and fragrance component in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions and perfumes. It stimulates the heart, increases blood presure, and lessons mucus secretions; useful for respiratory disorders such as asthma chronic coughs and bronchitis. Used in scabies and skin diseases; it destroys the itch acarus and its eggs, and is much to be preferred to sulphur ointment, also of value in prurigo, pruritis and in later stages of acute eczema. It is applied externally to sore nipples and discharges from the ear. 

Blends with - ylang-ylang, patchouli, petigrain, sandlewood, rose, spices, and floral and oriental bases. 

Non toxic, Non irritant.

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