Styrax (Liquidambar Styraciflua) perfumes

Balsamic, floral, animal, leather-tar.

Source

There are two types of styrax: one from Asia Minor (mainly Turkey) and the other from the Americas (Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico).

Extraction Method

The styrax from Asia Minor is an excretion of the sapwood obtained by pounding the bark of the liquidambar orientalis tree. The American styrax is obtained through exudation of the liquidambar styraciflua tree. The two resulting products are similar. However, only the styrax from Honduras is available. The resin is purified with volatile solvents or through vacuum distillation.

Uses

It can be used as a fixative. Styrax essence enhances compostions with chypre and oriental notes.

Medicinal properties

In China, styrax is used to treat coughs, chills, epilepsy, and skin problems such as cuts or scratches. In the American West, a syrup containing styrax is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.