Page 342 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

BALSAMS

Balsams are oleo-resinous, solid or fluid pathological mixtures containing
large proportions of balsamic aromatic acids; i.e. cinnamic and benzoic acids, either
free or combined as esters. They are obtained from plants by incision and tapping.
The most important balsams are Balsamum Benzoinum, Balsamum Peruvianum,
Balsamum Tolutanum and Balsamum Styracis Depuratus .

Benzoin

Syn.: Gum Benzoin; Gawi; Balsamum Benzoinum

Benzoin is the balsamic resin obtained from the stems of Styrax benzoin
Dryander, known in commerce as Sumatra Benzoin or of Styrax tonkinensis
(Pierre) Craib, known in commerce as Siam Benzoin, (Fam. Styraceae). Benzoin
contains not less than 30 % and not more than 60 % of total balsamic acids calculated
with reference to the dry alcoholic extractives.

The plants are trees of medium height growing in Southeastern Asia and the
East Indies. Styrax benzoin is cultivated throughout Sumatra; and S. tonkinensis in
Thailand and other countries.

Preparation
Benzoin is a pathological product developed by incising the bark. After about
two months, the exuding balsamic resin becomes less sticky and firm enough to be
collected.

Description
Sumatra Benzoin occurs in masses, made up of tears, embedded in a greyish-
brown or reddish-brown resinous substance; tears, almond-shaped; externally,
yellowish-brown; internally, milky-white; fracture, hard and brittle; softened on
warming; odor, agreeable and balsamic; taste, aromatic and slightly acrid; gritty on
chewing.

Siam Benzoin occurs in irregular masses of tears, adhering together with a
reddish-brown resin, or usually in compressed tears; 0.3-5 cm usually 1-2 cm wide,
0.2-1 cm usually 0.5-0.7 cm thick; externally, yellowish-brown, or rasty-brown, with
a thin varnish-like resinous coat; internally, milky-white; fracture, hard and brittle;
softened on warming; odour, agreeable; balsamic and vanilla-like; taste, aromatic
and slightly acrid; becoming plastic on chewing.

Tests for Identity

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