Benzoin resin

Common card · No. 248882

Benzoin resin or benzoin, or benjamin (corrupted pronunciation) is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. It is used in perfumes and some kinds of incense and as a flavoring and medicine (see tincture of benzoin). It is distinct from the chemical compound benzoin, which is ultimately derived chemically from benzoin resin; the primary active ingredient of benzoin resin is actually benzoic acid, not benzoin. Benzoin is sometimes called gum benzoin or gum benjamin, and in India Sambrani or loban, though loban is, via Arabic lubān, a generic term for frankincense-type incense, e.g., fragrant tree resin. The syllable "benz" ultimately derives from the Arabic lubān jāwī (لبان جاوي, "frankincense from Java"). (mid 16th century: from French benjoin, based on Arabic lubānjāwī ‘incense of Java’.) Benzoin is also called storax, not to be confused with the balsam of the same name obtained from the Altingiaceae family. Benzoin resin is a common ingredient...

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