Welcome to Benzoin Oil

Origin Of Benzoin Oil

Benzoin is name of a tree which is native of Laos and Vietnam in South East Asia. Botanical name of Benzoin Tree is Stryrax Benzoin or Stryraceae. Now Benzoin tree is also grown in parts of Malaysia, Sumatra and Java which are not far away from its native land. Typical height of a Benzoin tree is around 20 meters (66 Feet) and has oval and hairy leaves. It bears flowers which are greenish yellow in colour and slightly balsamic.

Early records of use of Benzoin by European countries go back to 16th century when it was referred by name ‘Benjoin’ by Englishmen. There are number of instances where ‘Benjoin’ is mentioned in number of English, French, Spanish and Portuguese recipes. Greeks and Romans also knew also Benzoin around the same time in history but used to call it by different names. Greeks called is ‘Silphion’ and Romans termed it as ‘Laserpitium’. Regardless the name by it was called Benzoin was popular all across Europe around that era. Even the famous Nostradamus also mentions Benzoin in his books.

Benzoin in form of an essential oil (colour golden brown) is mostly extracted through Solvent Extraction method and has sweet, warm and Lavender like aroma. Aroma strength of this essential oil could be rated as medium. Benzoin Oil in ancient history was mainly used in religious ceremonies and its qualities of it being an anti-depressant and disinfectant were known to people in that era. But there are doubts if other number of medicinal properties Benzoin Oil came to be known to people living than.