Styrax, levant Health Dictionary

Styrax, Levant: From 1 Different Sources


Liquidambar orientalis

FAMILY: Hamamelidaceae

SYNONYMS: Balsam styracis, oriental sweetgum, Turkish sweetgum, asiatic styrax, styrax, storax, liquid storax.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A deciduous tree up to 15 metres high with a purplish-grey bark, leaves arranged into five three-lobed sections, and white flowers. The styrax is a pathological secretion produced by pounding the bark, which induces the sapwood to produce a liquid from beneath the bark. It hardens to form a semi-solid greenish-brown mass with a sweet balsamic odour.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Asia Minor. It forms forests around Bodrum, Milas, Mugla and Marmaris in Turkey.

OTHER SPECIES: Very similar to the American styrax (L. styraciflua) or red gum, which produces a natural exudation slightly darker and harder than the Levant type. There are also many other types of styrax; Styrax officinale produced the styrax of ancient civilizations. NB: Styrax benzoin is the botanical name for benzoin, with which it shares similar qualities.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: In China it is used for coughs, colds, epilepsy and skin problems, including cuts, wounds and scabies. In the West it has been recommended as a remedy for catarrh, diphtheria, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, ringworm, etc. A syrup made from the bark of the American styrax is used for diarrhoea and dysentery in the western USA.

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitussive, bactericidal, balsamic, expectorant, nervine, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the crude. (A resinoid and absolute are also produced by solvent extraction).

CHARACTERISTICS: A water-white or pale yellow liquid with a sweet-balsamic, rich, tenacious odour. It blends well with ylang ylang, jasmine, mimosa, rose, lavender, carnation, violet, cassie and spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly styrene with vanillin, phenylpropyl alcohol, cinnamic alcohol, benzyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals. Frequently adulterated.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Cuts, ringworm, scabies, wounds.

Respiratory system: Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs.

Nervous system: Anxiety, stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES: Used in compound benzoin tincture, mainly for respiratory conditions. The oil and resinoid are used as fixatives and fragrance components mainly in soaps, floral and oriental perfumes. The resinoid and absolute are used in most major food categories, including alcoholic and soft drinks.

ACTIONS: Anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, fungicidal, stomachic.

Health Source: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
Author: Julia Lawless

Styrax Benzoin

Dry.

Family: Styraceae.

Habitat: Native to South-East Asia and East Indies.

English: True Gum Benzoin, Sumatra Benzoin or Gum Benjamin.

Unani: Lobaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Saambiraani.

Action: Gum—antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant (used for cough and respiratory tract catarrh). Used as genitourinary antiseptic, as a mouthwash in stomatitis, topically on wound and ulcers, as an inhalation in colds, coughs and bronchitis. Lipophilic fraction stimulates phagocytosis.

The gum contains mainly cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresinolic acid esters, benzaldehyde and vanillin.... styrax benzoin

Styrax Officinale

Linn.

Family: Styracaceae.

Habitat: A native to Asia minor and Syria.

English: The True Storax tree.

Ayurvedic: Silhaka, Silaarasa, Turushka, Kapitaila, Yavandeshaja.

Folk: Silaajit, Usturak.

Action: Balsam is used for cough and respiratory tract catarrh. Turushka was obtained from Styrax officinale. Due to scarcity, it was replaced by the exudation of Liquidamber orientalis Mill. Balsam obtained from Altingia excelsa Noronha is used as a substitute for Silhaka and is known as Silaarasa (occurs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh).

Dosage: Balsam—500 mg to 1.0 g. (CCRAS.)... styrax officinale



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