Styrax

Liguidambarorientalis

Styrax, resin benzoin, or dew incense are fragrant resins that were widely used in ancient times for sacrifices and aromatic incense to the gods throughout the Mediterranean.

Often these names are confused due to the fact that there are inconsistencies in the names of the resulting resins and plants.

“And they sat down to eat bread, and, looking, they saw, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Golaad, and their camels were carrying styrak, balm, and incense: they were going to take it to Egypt,” we read in the Old Testament. In pagan times, branches of storax were burned as sacrifices to idols. Wands and staves made of aromatic wood were very popular among the Israelites. They called the sticky resin “nataf”. By mixing nataf with other aromatic substances, they obtained smoking powder for the tabernacle.

The homeland of the tall (up to 15 m) branched tree from which Asian storax is extracted is Asia Minor. Various ointments and healing compositions were made on its basis. In Chinese medicine, styrax was a valuable remedy for epilepsy, scabies, and long-healing wounds. It was used for coughs and colds. In the West, it was used to treat diphtheria, dysentery, gonorrhea, dermatomycosis and other diseases.

Styrax essential oil is a milky-white or slightly colored liquid with a spicy-woody aroma. Contains up to 20% cinnamic acid and its esters, resin acids, styrene, vanillin and other substances. The oil is used in the perfume and food industries.

Medicinal properties

1. Used for bronchitis, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
2. Prescribed for dermatomycosis, cuts, scabies, and poorly healing wounds.
3. In folk medicine it is known as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, absorbent, antimicrobial, sedative, expectorant, balsamic and wound healing agent.
4. Calms the central nervous system. It relieves nervous tension well. Effective for post-stress disorders.
5. Rejuvenates the skin, smoothes wrinkles, strengthens hair roots.

Dosage

Prescribed individually by an aromatherapist.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance.