Benzoin Styrax benzoin

A big warm hug in a bottle waiting to envelop you... blend with other oils to increase the feeling of being nutured and loved

Botanical name: Styrax benzoin
Country of origin: Thailand
Growing method: Plantation       Plant part: Resin
Extraction method: Macerated

Characteristics:
Benzoin oil has a sweet, warm and vanilla-like aroma. it is produced from a gum resin which is yellowish at first, then later hardens and becomes brown with red tones.   This resin has a strong smell and is cleaned before being produced as a thick and viscous oil.   The gum is tapped from the Benzoin tree which grows to 20 meters high (66 feet) with oval hairy leaves and sports a substantial white flower with a green tinge.

Therapeutic Actions:
Antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and vulnerary.

When to use:
Benzoin is used as an essential oil as well as a fixative in perfumes.   Benzoin essential oil can be used for bronchitis, coughs, colds, wounds, acne, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatism, arthritis, scar tissue, circulation, nervous tension, stress, muscle pains, chilblains, rashes and mouth ulcers.
Benzoin is recommended for lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal distention and cold limbs due to it's warming properties, both physically and emotionally.

Blends well with:
Aniseed, Bergamot, Cajeput, Atlas cedarwood, Cistus, Coriander, Eucalyptus radiata, Everlasting, Fragonia, Frankincense, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Pine, Rose, Sandalwood, Thyme, Vetiver, Ylang ylang.
Strength of Aroma: Medium   Base Note for blending.

Traditional usage:
Benzoin, also known as gum Benjamin, is one of the classic ingredients of incense.   In ancient civilizations, it was used in fumigation.   Benzoin is an ingredient of 'Friar's balsam', an aid to respiratory problems.

Personality profile
Benzoin is fun, energetic, imaginative, outgoing and full of joy.   They are very similar in personality to a 5 in numerology.

Energetics and subtle aromatherapy
Benzoin provides comfort, warmth and love, whilst helping you heal with traumas from the past, whether in this life time or a previous one.   If you're feeling like you're too up in the air with everything going on around you, benzoin will help ground you, without letting you slump and lose focus.
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Magical influences: Happiness, Healing, Joy, Love

Safety precautions: No known toxicity

Important Note: The information provided is for educational purposes only.

Sourced from
Battaglia, S. (2018). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 3rd Edition. Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, Australia.
Battaglia, S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2nd Edition. The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2003
Cunningham, S. Magical Aromatherapy. Llewellyn Publications, USA, 1993Lawless, J. (1995). The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Element Books Ltd, UK.
Schnaubelt, K. (1999). Medical Aromatherapy - Healing with Essential Oils. Frog Ltd, USA.
Wildwood, C. (1994). Create Your Own Perfumes using Essential Oils. Piatkus, UK.
Worwood, V. (1995). The Fragrant Heavens - The Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy. Doubleday, UK.
Worwood, V. (1999). The Fragrant Mind - Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion. Doubleday, UK.