Benzoin resin

Benzoin resin or styrax resin is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. It is used in perfumes, some kinds of incense, and medicine (see tincture of benzoin). Its principle component is benzoic acid. Commonly called "benzoin", it is called "benzoin resin" here to distinguish it from the crystalline compound benzoin. Benzoin resin does not contain this crystalline compound.

Benzoin is also called gum benzoin or gum benjamin, but "gum" is incorrect as benzoin is not a water-soluble polysaccharide. Its name probably came via Italian from Arabic lubān jāwī (لبان خاوي, "frankincense from Java"), because it was brought from Indonesia.

Use
Benzoin resin is a common ingredient in incense-making and perfumery because of its aroma and fixative properties. Gum benzoin is a major component of the type of church incense used in Russia and some other Orthodox Christian societies. Benzoin resin is also used in blended types of Japanese incense, Indian incense, Chinese incense, and Papier d'Arménie. When called sambrani or sambraani, it is a popular Indian incense used to scent and treat hair and prevent infections.

There are two types of benzoin resin used in incense and perfumery, benzoin Siam and benzoin Sumatra. Benzoin Siam is obtained from the Styrax tonkinensis Craib found across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Benzoin Sumatra is obtained from the Styrax benzoin Dryand. grown on the island of Sumatra. Both varieties are pathogenic resins, which are exuded from the tree when it is damaged.

In perfumery benzoin is used as a fixative, slowing the dispersion of essential oils and other fragrance materials into the air.