It is in West Africa that an ornamental species of a particular tree called Styrax Benzoin belonging to family called Stryracaceae is popularly cultivated and that’s where this special oil is derived from. In Indonesia in the region of Sumatra this tree is native and used as a remedy for many ills by locals.  In Arabic it is termed as loban, gum Benjamin, Kemenyan in Malaysia and Indonesia and Onycha, besides many other names around the globe. In Indonesia it is cultivated for the benzoin resin specifically.

This oil has a number of beneficial properties. The aroma is sweet and warm and has viscosity that is treacle like and a like vanilla color that is slightly more is golden brown. The tree grows up to a height of twenty feet or eight meters. In the trunk, deep cuts are made and sap that is first of a grayish tinge exudes.

Styrax Benzoin Availability

Once the sap is extracted from the tree, after some time it gets converted into a lump of hard resin, which is also brittle in nature. From the bark of the tree this lump of resin is then collected. Since ancient times it has been used in the fumigation process and for aiding ailments related to the respiratory system.  It is utilized as a fixative for manufacturing perfumes. The tree should be a fully grown tree of seven years for a cultivator to be able to successfully remove the rich resin and extract the product desired by a process called ‘extraction of solvent’, after which around 60% to 85% oil is available. 

Coniferyl benzoate, benzoic aldehyde, benzoic, cinnamic acids, vanillin and benzyl benzoate are the main components available in this very chemical based extraction. It is best to use the oil as medication on the advice of your doctor. It works effectively with a range of properties including sedative, antiseptic, vulnerary, anti-depressant, expectorant, astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, deodorant, carminative as well as cordial. 

Styrax Benzoin Benefits

The benefits of this oil are many due to which it has being popularly used by people in different parts of the world. It has an uplifting and a calming effect on the body and mind. It is for this very reason that the extract is considered apt for providing comfort to lonely and sad individuals. At the same time it is effective in providing a boost to blood circulation in the body and easing out disorders of the respiratory system.

Elasticity within the skin is maintained well with therapy that uses the extract, and it is also known for reducing irritation, redness and irritation on the skin. It helps in the treatment of ulcers in the mouth, cracked skin, bronchitis, rashes, colds, chilblains, wounds, stress, acne, tension, eczema, heals sores, blood circulation, psoriasis, scar tissues, rheumatism and arthritis. It can be added to bathing water to attain a calming and soothing effect. Styrax Benzoin oil and cream can be best used as an external application to treat cuts and wounds fast.