Commiphora myrrha / Myrrh / Burseraceae (Copal family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Balsamodendron Myrrha. Commiphora Myrrha, var. Aceite de palo, African Myrrh, Bal, Balasmodendron, Balsam copaiba, Bdellium, Bol, Bola, Bowl, Burseraceae, B samo de copayba, Cobeni, Commiphora Molmol, Commiphora Myrrha, Copaiba, Copaipera, Cupayba, Copauba, Copal, Copaiva, Copaiba-verdadeira, Copaibeura-de-Minas, Didin, Didthin, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Jesuit's balsam, Matidisguate, Matisihuati, Mal-dos-sete-dias, Mirra, Molmol, Morr, Mo Yao, Myrrh, Opopanax, Pau-de-oleo, Somali Myrrh.

Description

Commiphora myrrha is indigenous to eastern Mediterranean countries, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and South Arabia. Myrrh is the resin of this tree. Myrrh has been used from remote ages as an ingredient in incense, perfumes, etc. Its a common ingredient of toothpowders, and is used with borax in tincture, with other ingredients, as a mouth-wash. According to Herodotus, Myrrh was used for embalming among the Egyptians. Myrrh also has an extensive record of traditional medicinal uses.

Scent

Warm, rich, spicy, earthy, woody, balsamic.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Myrrh is thought to enhance spirituality. Aromatherapists use it as an aid in meditation or before healing. Its aroma is sedative, revitalizing, euphoric, purifying, comforting, protecting. It uplifts the spirit, helps moving forward emotionally, enhances visualization. When burned as incense, it gives a pleasant odor that calms the mind and soul. Myrrh is emotionally strengthening and empowering.

Contents

Alloaromadendrene, alpha-bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene, beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryophyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic acids, cyperene, delta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid, kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate, paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, trans-alpha-bergamotene.

Synergic Combinations

Frankincense, Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Tea Tree, Thyme, and all Spice Oils.

Historical

Myrrh is referred to in the Bible. Myrrh was used as a wine preservative in the ancient world. It was used by Egyptians in embalming mixtures. It was also used as an aromatic for perfumes, funerals, and insect repellents. It also has a long history as a herbal remedy, used by Greek and Roman physicians, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Myrrh was an important trade item in ancient times, often worth more than its weight in gold. In Ancient Rome myrrh was priced at five times as much as Frankincense, though the latter was far more popular. The word Myrrh is derived from a Hebrew and Arabic word "Mur", meaning "bitter". The genus name Commiphora is from the Greek "Kommi", meaning "gum", and "Phoros", meaning "carrier". (1)(2)
Myrrh has shown to have "local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties"(3).

Plant Description

Commiphora myrrha is indigenous to eastern Mediterranean countries, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and South Arabia. It is a large shrub or small tree that grows in the Middle East and Ethiopia and Somalia. A pale yellow oil drips from the cuts in its dull gray bark and hardens to form teardrop-shaped nuggets of Myrrh, which are powdered for use as an incense.
The bushes yielding the resin do not grow more than 30cm in height, but they are of sturdy build, with knotted branches, and branchlets that stand out at right-angles, ending in a sharp spine. The trifoliate leaves are scanty, small and very unequal, oval and entire. The fruit is ovate, smooth, brown, somewhat larger than a pea, surrounded at base by a 4-toothed calyx, and supported on a very short stalk. There are ducts in the bark, and the tissue between them breaks down, forming large cavities, which, with the remaining ducts, becomes filled with a granular secretion which is freely discharged when the bark is wounded, or from natural fissures. It flows as a pale yellow liquid, but hardens to a reddish-brown mass, being found in commerce in tears of many sizes, the average being that of a walnut. The surface is rough and powdered, and the pieces are brittle, with a granular fracture, semi-transparent, oily, and often show whitish marks. The odor and taste are aromatic, the latter also acrid and bitter. It is inflammable, but burns feebly.

References

(1) Myrrh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(2) Myrrha, King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(3) Local Anaesthetic, Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Sesquiterpenes from Myrrh, Piero Dolara, Barbara Corte, Carla Ghelardini, Anna Maria Pugliese, Elisabetta Cerbai1, Stefano Menichetti, Antonella Lo Nostro; University of Florence, Italy.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Myrrh and Franckincense

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / Burseraceae (Copal Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / Burseraceae (Copal Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Protium nodulosum / Myrrh / Burseraceae (Copal Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

The resin of Peruvian Myrrh, has a similar aroma to that of Myrrh and Opopanax, but without the latex background. Very calm, relaxing and full, with a touch of melon or cherry. It burns just like Myrrh and Opoponax - it smolders and chars rather than melts. It has a relaxing effect, used to repel negative energies.

Opopanax chironium / Opopanax / Umbelliferae (Carrot family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Opopanax chironium, Pastinaca opopanax, Opopanax, Rough Parsnip.

Description

This plant is the source of a rare and costly gum-resin called Opopanax. The gum is obtained through incisions in the roots at the base of the stems. It is sometimes in tears, but usually in irregular lumps or fragments, of a reddish-yellow color, speckled with white on the outside, paler within, and, when broken, exhibiting white pieces intermingled with the mass. The aromatic gum resin formerly used in medicine is now used in perfumery and some incense formulas. The gum is inflammable, burning brightly.

Scent

Its fragrance is strong and disagreeable to some. When warmed it becomes soft, exhaling an onion-like odor.

Contents

Besides vegetable impurities it contains starch 4.2%, wax, volatile oil, resin 42%, and gum 33.4%.

Historical

It is seldom used in medicine now, but in olden times was one of the gum resins thought to be applicable to almost all ills, hence the name Opopanax, meaning the "All-healing juice". It is now regarded as a medium of feeble powers, but was formerly considered of service in medicine. Now it is employed in incense formulas and perfumery. King Solomon allegedly regarded the Opoponax as the noblest of incense gums.

Plant Description

This plant, called "Rough Parsnip", is indigenous to the south of Europe but also grows in cooler climates. A perennial, with a thick, fleshy root, yellowish in colour. It has a branching stem growing about 30-90cm high, thick and rough near the base. Leaves pinnate, with long petioles and large serrate leaflets, the terminal one cordate, the rest deficient at the base, hairy underneath. The flowers, yellowish, are in large, flat umbels at the top of the branches.
On wounding the stalk-base, or the root, a yellowish lactescent juice exudes and concretes. This is Opopanax. The best grade is that which occurs in irregularly angular pieces, or sub-globular tears, varying in size, and of a reddish or yellowish- brown color. It readily fractures, displaying a waxy interior, and often exhibits imbedded fragments of vegetable tissues.

Bursera graveolens / Palo Santo / Burseraceae (Copal Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Palo de la vida o Santo, Sacred Wood, Holy wood, St. Anthony`s wood, Palosanto, Mallka Waki.

Description

Palo Santo, or "Holy Wood" or "Sacred tree" is a natural aromatic incense wood, used for centuries by the Incas as a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing and to get rid of evil spirits, misfortune and calamity. Burning Palo Santo helps to create an overall peaceful and purifying effect. It has a wonderfully calming, soothing fragrance, with a powerful energy. Palo Santo is harvested under government supervision by the native peoples of the Amazonian region of South America. These are protected, one thousand year old trees from which the windfall is collected from the ground and considered sacred by the indigenous peoples for many generations.

Scent

Palo Santo has both a deep enjoyable wooden aroma as well as a nice warming middle range and a wonderful sweet top range to it. Palo Santos wide range of enjoyable aromatic 'notes' seems to be uniquely uncharacteristic to any single aromatic component. Burning a small piece of wood gives a peaceful warm atmosphere and leads you into a pleasant relaxed state of mind.

Contents

Aged heartwood is rich in essential oils such as limonene and alpha-pinene.

Preparation

Light the end of a Palo Santo stick, allow the flame to burn for a moment, and blow out the flame. Alternatively you can burn the powdered or shredded wood on Charcoal Disks.

Synergic Combinations

For those who love to experiment with the alchemy of combined scents, Palo Santo goes very well with the following incenses: Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), White Sage (Salvia apiana) and Copal (Dacryoides peruviana).

Historical

Palo Santo has been used by the Incas for generations. Shamans in the Andean mountains still use Palo Santo as part of their curing rituals. It is often used in Ayahuasca ceremonies. Its sacred properties and distinctly enjoyable aroma have only very recently been rediscovered by modern man. Nowadays Palo Santo can be found in the streets of Quito at Christmas, where the salesmen shout "Palo Santo, to clean your house of bad energy", "Palo Santo for good luck". The essential oil of the Palo Santo tree has many applications in aromatherapy.

Plant Description

Bursera graveolens inhabits the South American Gran Chaco region (northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and the Brazilian Mato Grosso). It is also common on the coast of Ecuador. It is related to the Frankincense tree (genus Boswellia). The Palo Santo tree has no branches on the lower part of the trunk, and within a radius of several yards not a leaf or a blade of grass will grow. It is a soft, light wood, usually found near the river banks, and is the favorite haunt of colonies of the Brazilian fire ant, a vicious insect with an extremely painful bite. Touch the tree, and armies of these ants rush out from holes in the trunk eager to attack, even dropping from branches above on to the trespasser.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Alpha-pinene
Limonene

Related Products

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi)
Charcoal disks (Charcoal disks)
Copal (Dacryoides peruviana)
Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)
Natural Scented Waters (Natural Scented Waters)
Chacruna (Psychotria viridis)
White Sage (Salvia apiana)

Pinus sylvestris / Pine / Pinaceae (Pine family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Dwarf Scots Pine, Forest Pine, Gemeine kiefer, Norway Pine, Pin sauvage, Pine, Pine Needle, Scotch Fir, Scotch Pine, Scots Pine, Skovfyr, and Tall.

Description

Pine is purifying, refreshing, and uplifting. Sacred to the Druids, and in Celtic times, Pine was one of the Seven Chieftain Trees of the Irish. It is supportive and soothing for the throat. Pine has been used for a long time, in Europe, in America, and has a variety of health uses. Pine is the "Tree of peace" of the Native American Iroquois confederacy.

Scent

Pine has a fresh, forest-like, woody aroma.

Aromatic Properties

Pine can be burnt to purify ones home and used to decorate it with its branches to bring healing and joy. The cones and nuts can be carried as a fertility charm. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a Pine branch. In aromatherapy, Pine is used in saunas, steam baths and massage blends. It shares many of the same properties as Eucalypt, and the action of both oils is enhanced when blended.

Contents

This herb contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, tannins, triterpenes, lignan and resins. There is a high concentration of monoterpenes (anywhere between 50-90%) such as pinenes (consisting mainly of alpha-pinene, but also including beta-pinene), and limonene (delta-limonene). Further a-cadinol, d-sylvestrene, borneol, bornyl acetate, dipentene, cardinene, longifolene, and phellandrene have been found.

Synergic Combinations

Pine blends particularly well with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Eucalypt, Lavender, Lemon, Niaouli, Rosemary, Sage and Tea Tree.

Historical

Pine has a history of spiritual and inspirational significance in Scotland where, dating back to pre-Christian Celtic and Pictish cultures, it was a part of the clan totems of the Grant and MacGregor families. Sacred to the Druids Pine has been considered a symbol of Long Life by many cultures around the world. This Pine was first investigated by Hippocrates for its benefits to the respiratory system. Pine is a popular Christmas tree species because it grows to 6 feet in only 8 years. It is often used in reforestation, and also in erosion control. It is now used extensively as a fragrancing agent in many cleaning products, soaps, bath products and also as a flavoring agent in both the food and drink industry.

Plant Description

Pinus sylvestris belongs to a family of evergreen conifers that include about 90 species that grow in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. This pine grows to a height of 30 meters or more in the northern forests of Europe and is native from Western Europe to Siberia. It has a flat crown and a reddish-brown deeply fissured bark, needle-like gray-green leaves that grow in pairs, orange-yellow flowers and pointed brown cones. Pine is in leaf all year, flowers in May, and the seeds ripen from March to June.

Pinus edulis / Pinyon Pine / Pinaceae (Pine family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Pinyon Pine, Singleleaf Pinyon, American pinon, American Pinon, Colorado Pinyon, Colorado pinyon, Nut Pine, Pignolia, Pinon, Piñón, Pinyon, Pinyon Pine, Rocky Mountain Pinyon, Trementina De Pinon.

Description

The pinyon pines (or piñon pines), are a group of pines, which grow in the southwestern United States and Mexico; they yield edible pinyon nuts, which were a staple of the Native Americans, and are still widely eaten. In many areas, the seed harvest rights are owned by Native American tribes, for whom the species is of immense cultural and economic importance. The seeds are also important wildlife food for several songbirds, quails, squirrels, chipmunks, black bears, and mule deer. The tree is sometimes used as a Christmas tree because of it's aroma. The fragrance of the wood, especially when burned, is unmistakable. A sticky aromatic resin is exuded from cuts in needles or stem.

Scent

A clear, fresh and uplifting smell.

Aromatic Properties

Usually used in ritual or energy work for cleaning away negative energy. Strengthening the Aura and creating a strong base to support one's overall spiritual development and evolution.

Contents

Some of the constituents of the different parts are:
Needles: high in vitamin C, Sucrose.
Inner Bark: Tannin, Quercetin, Phenol.
Resin: Limonene, Essential Oil, Terpenes.
Kernels: fatty oil.

Historical

The seed crop of pinyon pine is valuable and is used in making candies, cakes, and cookies. The seeds were a staple food in American Indian diets and were eaten raw, roasted, or ground into flour. Seed crops are erratic, depending on moisture, and Indian migrations were determined by location of seed crops. Needles were steeped for tea. The inner bark served as starvation food for American Indians.
Today incense is made from crushed cones. Indians still use the pitch as a caulking compound for watertight baskets and as glue for turquoise jewelry. The seeds of Pinyon and Juniper nourish most wildlife in these forests and beginning 2,000 years ago the Anasazi created a civilization with these trees: they built homes and fed, clothed, and warmed themselves with Pinyon Pine and Utah Juniper. And they must have, as we still do today, found the redolence of a Juniper and Pinyon Pine fire to be one of the grand pleasures of life.

Plant Description

Pinus edulis typically grows straight, drops its lower limbs, has dark, tight, fissured bark, and its foliage is open and airy. Pinus edulis leaves are about two inches long, in bundles of twos, thin, and dark green. As with other piñons, the seeds rest in a deep cone-scale declivity and upper cone scale tissue holds the seeds in place, so seeds do not readily fall out and are readily available to avian dispersers. This pine is native to the United States. It occurs at moderate altitudes from 1600-2400m.

References

Colorado Pinyon, Wikipedia

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

From the Pinyon Pine Trees

Tetraclinis articulata / Sandarac / Cupressaceae (Cypress family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sandarac - Tetraclinis articulata, Gum Juniper, Arartree, alerce (Britannica Online), sandarac gum tree, gharghar.

Description

Sandarac resin, aka "Avar Tree" is obtained from tears of the Cypress Sandarac tree that grows in the Atlas region in Morocco. The gum leaks from the bark and branches of the tree and hardens in the air. In most cases, the pieces have a long oval or cylindrical form up to 4 cm long. Sandarac gives off a Frankincense-like balsamic, light and fruity fragrance and produces clarifying, strengthening and cleansing effects. It neutralizes illness causing tension indoors and clears the air. Burning the resin alone produces a lot of smoke.

Coccus lacca / Shellac / Kerriidae (Lac Insect family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

The general name for a resinous substance excreted by the females of the lac insect, Laccifer (Tachardia) lacca (formerly Coccus lacca). The insects primarily deposit lac on the twigs and soft new branches of several varieties of Soapberry and Acacia trees, such as the sacred fig Ficus religiosa, found in India, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and elsewhere in southeast Asia. Lac was used as early as about 1200 BC in India. Shellac and lac dye were imported to Europe in the 17th century. The crude resin, also called sticklac, undergoes several processing steps to extract useful components. Lac is used in the manufacture of varnishes (shellac), sealing wax (lac wax) and red colorants (lac dye).

Myrospermum toluiferum / Tolubalsam / Leguminosae (Pea family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Description

This is a large tree native to the forests of South America, and especially to Peru. The resin has many medicinal properties, and has an absolutely beautiful fragrance and a pleasant, sweet, aromatic, resinous taste -becoming soft again when chewed- with an odour resembling Vanilla or Benzoin. It is especially fragrant when the balsam is finely powdered and burned on charcoal in very small amounts.

Scent

Tolubalsam has a pleasant vanilla-like odor, and a sweetish aromatic taste. The Balsam of Tolu is preferred over Peru Balsam. When a small portion of it is burned, it fills a room with an agreeable aroma, and promotes expectoration. A milder fragrance is given to the atmosphere by adding a few grams to a quart of boiling water.

Aromatic Properties

It is soluble in alcohol, ether, and essential oils.

Contents

About 80 per cent amorphous resin, with cinnamic acid, a volatile oil, and a little vanillin, benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate.
To distinguish it from Balsam of Peru it can be tested with sulphuric acid and water, yielding a grey mass instead of the lovely violet colour of the genuine Peruvian Tolu Balsam.

Synergic Combinations

Palo Santo, Pine, Rosewater

Historical

There is still some obscurity about the origin of the different South American balsam-yielding trees. The appearance of the above variety is said to differ but slightly from the Peruvian, but the method of gathering the balsam is quite different. V-shaped cuts are made in the tree, and the liquid is received into calabash cups placed at an angle; these are emptied into flasks of raw hide, conveyed by donkeys to the depôts, and finally shipped in tin or earthen vessels, which occasionally contain large pieces of red brick.
On arrival the balsam is soft and sticky, but exposure to the air makes it hard and brittle, more like resin, with a crystalline appearance. In colour it is pale, yellowish red or brown. As the balsam solidifies, its odour becomes more feeble, but the quantity of cinnamic acid increases, and it thus becomes valuable to perfumers as a fixative, an ounce added to a pound of volatile perfume making it much more permanent.
Tolu Balsam is frequently adulterated with turpentines, styrax, colophony, etc., and may be tested by heating it in sulphuric acid. If pure, it will yield a cherry-red liquid, and will dissolve without any appearance of sulphurous acid.

Plant Description

It is a tree which grows throughout the forests of South America, especially on the elevated parts near Carthagena, Tolu, and in the Magdalena provinces of Columbia. The balsam is obtained by making incisions into the tree.

References

Balsam of Tolu, A Modern Herbal, by Maud Grieve
Myrospermum Peruiferum. Balsam Peru. The Physiomedical Dispensatory (1869), by William Cook, M.D.