Witnessed by: TCM · Western · Unani
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), of the Styracaceae family. Tall tropical tree tapped for its balsamic resin; native range: Sumatra, Java, Siam and the Malay peninsula. Globally recognized as an xi xiang (安息香) in Chinese, luban jawi (لبان جاوي) in Arabic, and gum benjamin, gum benzoin, Java frankincense in English. The part used is resin (balsamic gum). Brittle reddish-brown tears set in a milky matrix, breaking with a glassy fracture, giving a warm sweet vanilla-balsam scent when warmed or burnt.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BENZOIN
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Benzoin
- Scientific name
- Styrax benzoin Dryand.
- Family
- Styracaceae
Form
- Part used
- resin (balsamic gum)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · bitter
- Western
- aromatic · acrid
- Unani
- bitter · aromatic
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
- Western
- warm
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Spleen
- Western
- lungs · circulation · nervous system
- Unani
- lungs · heart · brain
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- opens the orifices, revives the spirit, moves qi and blood and dispels turbid dampness; stops pain
- Western
- stimulant expectorant, antiseptic, carminative, and a preservative and healing application to the skin
- Unani
- munaffis-e-balgham (expectorant), muqawwi-e-qalb (cardiac tonic), mufarrih (exhilarant), daf-e-taffun (antiseptic), muharrik (stimulant)
Cautions
Contraindications: yin deficiency with heat; not in pregnancy in medicinal doses
Toxicity: the tincture may irritate or sensitise the skin and the airways in the susceptible
Interactions
- Western
- photosensitising drugs: topical benzoic resins may add to skin irritation and reaction
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