Original information from Kobashi Official Website:
has a long history of use as a medicine and incense, especially in the East. Traditionally burnt to drive away 'evil spirits'. Useful for respiratory conditions, soothing vanilla aroma when used in a burner.
LATIN NAME: Styrax benzoin (50% in Benzyl benzoate)
SOURCE: plant resin from the styrax tree
COLOUR: Thick amber
ORIGIN: Sumatra
AROMA: Vanilla -like, smooth, rich and creamy
QUALITIES: The resin like those of frankincense and myrrh have a long history of use as a medicine and incense especially in the East. It was burnt to drive away 'evil spirits'. It is a main ingredient in 'Friars Balsam', which is used for respiratory conditions. We find this oil very soothing when used in a burner. It is often recommended for sore chapped skin, but it may be sensitising to the skin. Good for vaporising but may stick to the burner.
Benzoin is immobile in its raw state and must be diluted for use, ours is diluted in Benzyl benzoate which, incidentally, is also used to kill dust mites, parasites and scabies. Benzoin does not mix well with fixed oils. Tinctures of benzoin are used in pharmaceutical preparations. The resin is found in the toiletries and perfume industries where it is used as a fragrance and fixative.
A tall tree, belonging to the Styracaceae family, native to tropical Asia. Benzoin is produced when the tree is cut and the resin hardens on exposure to the air.
