Free The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless Page A

categories, including alcoholic and soft drinks.
BALSAM, TOLU
    Myroxylon balsamum var. balsamum
    FAMILY Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
    SYNONYMS Toluifera balsamum, Balsamum tolutanum, B. americanum, Myrospermum toluiferum , Thomas balsam, resin Tolu, opobalsam.
    GENERAL DESCRIPTION A tall, graceful tropical tree, similar in appearance to the Peru balsam tree. The balsam is a pathological product, obtained by making V-shaped incisions into the bark and sap wood, often after the trunk has been beaten and scorched. It is a ‘true’ balsam.
    DISTRIBUTION Native to South America, mainly Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba; also cultivated in the West Indies.
    OTHER SPECIES There are many types of South American balsam-yielding trees, such as the Peru balsam – see entry.
    HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION The balsam works primarily on the respiratory mucous membranes, and is good for chronic catarrh and non-inflammatory chest complaints, laryngitis and croup. It is still used as a flavour and mild expectorant in cough syrups and lozenges. As an ingredient in compound benzoin tincture and similar formulations, it is helpful in the treatment of cracked nipples, lips, cuts, bedsores, etc.
    ACTIONS Antitussive, antiseptic, balsamic, expectorant, stimulant.
    EXTRACTION The crude balsam is collected from the trees. It appears first in liquid form, then hardens and solidifies into an orange-brown brittle mass. An ‘essential oil’ is obtained from the crude by 1. steam distillation, or 2. dry distillation. (A resinoid and absolute are also produced for use primarily as fixatives.)
    CHARACTERISTICS 1. A pale yellow-brown liquid with a sweet-floral scent and peppery undertone. 2. An amber-coloured liquid with a rich balsamic-floral scent, which slowly solidfies on cooling into a crystalline mass. Tolu balsam blends well with mimosa, ylang ylang, sandalwood, labdanum, neroli, patchouli, cedarwood and oriental, spicy and floral bases.
    PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS The balsam contains approx. 80 per cent resin, 20 per cent oil, with cinnamic and benzoic acids, small amounts of terpenes, and traces of eugenol and vanillin.
    SAFETY DATA Available information indicates it to be non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization, see Peru Balsam.
    AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE SKIN CARE : Dry, chapped and cracked skin, eczema, rashes, scabies, sores, wounds. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM : Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, croup, laryngitis. ‘It may be used as an inhalant by putting about a teaspoon into a steam bath.’ 5
    OTHER USES As a fixative and fragrance component in colognes, cosmetics and perfumes (especially the dry distilled type). Some use in pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. cough syrups. Low levels used in many major food products, especially baked goods.
BASIL, EXOTIC
    Ocimum basilicum
    FAMILY Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
    SYNONYMS Sweet basil, Comoran basil (oil), Reunion basil (oil).
    GENERAL DESCRIPTION Botanically classified as identical from the French basil, though it is a larger plant with a harsher odour and different constituents.
    DISTRIBUTION Mainly produced in the Comoro Islands, but it is also processed in Madagascar.
    OTHER SPECIES The exotic basil is a dramatically different chemotype to the French basil and probably a seperate sub-species (possibly a form of O. canum) , although this has not been specified. Essential oils are also produced in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia from various chemotypes of the East Indian or shrubby basil (O. gratissimum) , which contain a high percentage of either thymol or eugenol. The hairy or hoary basil (O. canum) , originating in East Africa and found in India and South America, is also used to extract oils rich in either methyl cinnamate or camphor, which are produced in West and East Africa, India, the West Indies and Indonesia. See also entry on French basil.
    HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION See French Basil.
    ACTIONS See Basil French.
    EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowering