Styrax benzoin (S. japonicus shown)

benzoin tree

Benzoin gum, also known as benzoin resin and gum benjamin, is obtained from the benzoin tree, a shrub-like member of the Styrax genus native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. However, it takes some time to harvest. In fact, the tree must mature for seven years before the resinous substance can be extracted.

Although the name benzoin gum continues to stick, it is technically incorrect since it cannot be classified as a polysaccharide. In fact, up to 75% of the volatile oils in benzoin gum contain amorphous resins, with the balance being composed of benzoic acid. Another clarification worth mentioning is that whether you call it benzoin gum or benzoin resin, it clearly differs from benzoin, which is a crystalline organic compound.

Other constituents found in benzoin gum include cinnamic acid, styrene, and vanillic acid. The latter component is what lends benzoin gum its characteristic vanilla-like scent. This quality doesn’t translate to its taste, however, which is quite bitter and unpleasant in its raw form. The exotic scent does make benzoin gum a fragrant addition to perfumes and incense, where it also provides fixative and preservative properties. In fact, it is a common ingredient in fine Indian, Japanese, and Chinese incense, as well as in the Armenian incense papers known as Papier d'Arménie. However, here again, some clarification is in order. There are two basic grades of benzoin gum: Siam and Sumatra. The former is used as a flavoring and fragrance agent. There is also a sub-grade of Sumatra benzoin known as Penang. The basic difference between them all is the amount of milky white resinous material it contains, as well as the amount of bark remnants. Superior quality is determined by more of the first and less of the second. So, from highest to lowest, quality is ranked in this order: Siam, Sumatra, Penang.

Although raw benzoin gum can impart a bitter taste on the tongue, small quantities are used as a natural flavoring in many foods, including beverages, dairy products, baked goods, candy, and various processed foods. It is also used in the cosmetic industry as an additive to soaps, lotions, and various personal care products formulated for the skin and hair.

An old-fashioned French beauty treatment calls for benzoin tincture and rose water to produce a facial wash known as Virgin’s Milk. Reputedly, this formula gives light-skinned women a porcelain-like appearance due to the mixture’s milky coloring. If you’re feeling experimental, the ratio for Virgin’s Milk is a tablespoon benzoin tincture to one ounce of rose water.