Benzoin
Profile
| Latin Name | Styrax Benzoin |
| Chinese Name | An Xi Xiang (Peaceful Breath Fragrant) |
| Family | Styracaceae |
| Note | Base |
| Aroma | <Soft> Sweet (Vanilla-like) |
| Color | Amber |
| Parts Distilled | Gum Resin |
| Regions | Cambodia, Java, Laos, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Taste | Spicy, Sweet Nature: Warming |
| Affinity | HT, KI, LU, SP |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Monoterpenes, coniferyl cinnamate |
| Skin Type | Dry, cracked; cold limbs; can irritate skin |
| Dosage | 4% dilution |
Used as a fixative in blends (see Fixatives).
TCM Categories
Functions
- Arrest coughing and diffuse Lung qi
- Drain dampness in the lower heater
- Expel damp-cold bi
- Tonify Spleen yang for cold limbs, lethargy, reduced appetite, abdominal distention, edema
Indications
- Deficient Lung Qi with damp-phlegm due to the Lung's inability to diffuse qi (CV-17, BL-13, LU-9, LU-7, ST-40, SP-9)
- Damp-Cold in the Lower Heater (CV-9, BL-28, SP-8, SP-9)
Topical Applications
- Apply 4% dilution of Benzoin (20%), Orange (30%), and Thyme Linalool with Sweet Almond Oil over the chest for Lung and Heart Fire.
- Apply as a warming liniment for Damp-Cold Bi-Obstruct ion.
Other Applications
- Apply Benzoin to bath water (10-20 drops) during healing crises.
- Diffuse with Eucalyptus radiata to subdue coughing.
Specific Protocols
- 4% dilution of Benzoin (30%), Sandalwood (30%), Carrot Seed (20%), and Calophyllum (20%) in Safflower Oil for uterine fibroid.
Actions
- Cardiac tonic
- Mucolytic
- Expectorant
- Diuretic
Contraindications & Cautions
- Heat and empty heat
Notes
- A gum resin, thick and sticky, difficult to use
- Snow Lotus sells this in dilution
- Most often used in a stop-cough chest rub (heated and mixed with other ingredients)
- Needle oils are faster at stopping cough
- Chronic fibromyalgia, chronic bronchitis
- For someone not rejuvenated by social interaction, comforting in the aftermath
Additional Comments
- Benzoin is a good fixative for cosmetic preparations
From Class
- Benzoin or frankincense: Oil that resonates with BL-15 Xinshu; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)