PHARMACOGNOSY - BALSAMS

BALSAMS

Balsams

• Are resinous mixtures that have large proportions of Benzoic acid, cinnamic acid or both; can also be esters of these acids.

• Medicinal balsams include:– Peru Balsam– Tolu Balsam– Storax Balsam– Sumatra Benzoin

Peru Balsam (Myroxylon pereirae)

Tolu Balsam (Myroxylon balsamum)

Storax (Liquidambar orientalis)

Sumatra Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)

Peruvian Balsam

• Synonyms: China oil, black balsam, Peru balsam

• Source: Obtained from the trunk ofMyroxylon pereirae (trunk is beaten and scorched)

» Myroxylon – From myron (Greek word meaning ointment)

» Pereirae – from Jonathan Pereira, an English pharmacognosist.

Peruvian Balsam

• Family: Leguminosae• Habitat: Central America

Peruvian Balsam (Collection)

• The balsam is collected from trees that are around 10 years old in the months of November to December

• Can be collected via injury (Beating and scorching)

Peruvian Balsam

• Color: Dark brown• Odor: Aromatic, vanilla-like• Soluble in chloroform and chloral hydrate• Sparingly soluble in petroleum ether and

insoluble in water• Specific gravity: 1.14-1.17• Not less than 45% and Not more than 70% of

esters.

Peruvian Balsam (Constituents)

Cinnamein (Benzyl cinnamate) (60%)

Peruvian Balsam (Constituents)

Styracin (Cinnamyl Cinnamate)

Peruvian Balsam (Constituents)

• Other constituents include:–28% of resin (peruresinotannol)–Benzoic acids–Alcohol (nerolidol, farnesol, benzyl

alcohol)–Small quantities of vanillin and free

cinnamic acid.

Peruvian Balsam (Uses)

• Protectant and rubefacient• Parasiticide for skin diseases such as scabies• Antiseptic and vulnerary• Can be applied externally alone or in alcoholic

solution • Can also be in an ointment form

Peruvian Balsam (Products)

Anusol suppositories

Peruvian Balsam (Products)

Wyanoid suppositories

Tolu Balsam

• Synonyms: Tolu resin, Thomas balsam, Opobalsam

• Source: Obtained by incision from the trunk of Myroxylon balsamum• Family: Leguminosae• Habitat: West Indies, Cuba, Venezuela,

Colombia

Tolu Balsam (Collection)

• The collection of balsam involves V-shaped incisions in the bark.

• Calabash Cups receive the flow of balsam from the incision.

• The yield per tree is 8-10 kg.

Tolu Balsam (Collection)

Tolu Balsam

• Color: Yellow; turns brown when standing• Occurrence: A plastic solid that gradually

hardens; becoming brown.• Odor: Aromatic; vanilla-like• Taste: Aromatic; slightly pungent

Tolu Balsam (Constituents)

Cinnamic acid

Tolu Balsam (Constituents)

Toluresinotannol cinnamate (primary resin ester)

Tolu Balsam (Constituents)

Benzyl benzoate (primary volatile oil)

Tolu Balsam (Constituents)

• Other constituents include:–Other resin esters (75-80%)–Benzoate–Other volatile oils (7-8%)–Free benzoic acid (12-15%)–Vanillin (2-8%)

Tolu Balsam (Uses)

• Pharmaceutic aid for compound benzoin tincture.

• Sometimes used as an expectorant.• Extensively used as a pleasant flavoring in

syrups.• Used in chewing gums, perfumes, and

confectionaries.

Tolu Balsam (Products)

Baldwin’s Tolu Balsam (30 mL)

Tolu Balsam (Products)

Friar’s Balsam (Herbal Supplement; Expectorant)(29.6 mL)

Storax Balsam

• Synonym: Levant Storax, American Storax • Source: Obtained by bruising and puncturing

the trunk of Liquidambar orientalis• Family: Hammamelidaceae• Habitat: Asia Minor (Turkey)

Storax Balsam(Collection)

• The collection of Storax primarily takes place during early summer.

• Involves bruising and puncturing the bark.• Can also be collected during autumn by

peeling and pressing.

Storax Balsam(Collection)

Storax Balsam

• Color: Grayish to Grayish Brown• Occurrence: Less opaque semiliquid mass.• Odor: Agreeable; balsamic

Storax Balsam (Constituents)

Cinnamic acid

Storax Balsam (Constituents)

• Other constituents include:–Alpha and beta storesin (30% each)–Cinnamate (10-20%)–Styracin (5-10%)–Free cinnamic acid–Traces of vanillin

Storax Balsam (Uses)

• Pharmaceutic aid for compound benzoin tincture.

• Used as a stimulant and expectorant• Also used as an antiseptic• Has a dose of 1g when used internally.

Storax Balsam (Products)

Baldwin’s Storax Resinoid (30 mL)

Storax Balsam (Products)

PDI Benzoin Compound Tincture U.S.P.

Siam Benzoin

• Synonym: Thailand Benzoin • Source: Obtained by incision from the trunk of Styrax tonkinesis• Family: Styracaceae• Habitat: East Indies and Southeastern Asia

(Thailand, Northern Laos, Northern Vietnam)

Siam Benzoin (Collection)

• The collection of benzoin involves incisions in the bark of Styrax tonkinesis.

• After 2 months, the exuding resin becomes less sticky and firm enough to collect.

• Separate tears are scraped from trees.• New incisions are made until the trees die.• Resins are only produced after the incision.

Siam Benzoin (Collection)

Siam Benzoin

• Color: Yellowish white to red; turns to brown due to oxidation.

• Occurrence: A plastic solid that gradually hardens; becoming brown.

• Odor: Agreeable; vanilla-like• Size: A few mm to 3cm.

Siam Benzoin (Constituents)

Coniferyl benzoate (primary constituent) (60-70%)

Siam Benzoin (Constituents)

• Other constituents include:–Free benzoic acid(10%)–Triterpene; siaresinol (6%)–A trace of vanillin

Siam Benzoin (Use)

• Siam benzoin is mainly used in perfumes.

Siam Benzoin(Products)

Glamorous (Ralph Lauren)

Siam Benzoin(Products)

Eau Claire des Merveilles (Hermès)

Sumatra Benzoin

• Synonym: Indonesia Benzoin, Gum Benjamin

• Source: Obtained from the incised stem of Styrax benzoin • Family: Styracaceae• Habitat: Sumatra (Western Indonesia), Java,

Borneo

Sumatra Benzoin (Collection)

• Triangular incisions are made on the stem in a vertical row.

• The first secretion is very sticky and is rejected • After making further incisions, a harder

secretion is obtained. (almond tears).• Further incision, after 3 months yields a more

fluid secretion.

Sumatra Benzoin (Collection)

Sumatra Benzoin

• Color: Whitish-reddish tears• Occurrence: Brittle mass• Odor: Agreeable; balsamic• Taste: Slightly arcid.

Sumatra Benzoin (Constituents)

Cinnamic acid (primary constituent)(10%)

Sumatra Benzoin (Constituents)

Benzoic acid (primary constituent)(6%)

Sumatra Benzoin (Constituents)• Other constituents include:–Esters of balsamic acids (Cinnamic acid

+ Benzoic acid)–Triterpene acids–Traces of vanillin–Phenylpropyl cinnamate–Cinnamyl cinnamate–Phenylethylene

Sumatra Benzoin (Use)

• Internally: Expectorant, antiseptic• Externally: Cosmetic, Lotion, Food, Drink,

Perfumes• Component of incense

Sumatra Benzoin(Products)

Friar’s Balsam (Antiseptic)

Sumatra Benzoin(Products)

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