Storax oil

Chemical properties

Styrax oil and styrax resinoid are obtained from styrax balsam, which is collected fromthe artificially injured trees, Liquidambar orientalis Mill. (Turkey) and Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Honduras) (Hamamelidaceae).
Styrax resinoid is a light gray to dark gray-brown, viscous liquid that is prepared by solvent extraction. It has a sweet balsamic, slightly grass-like odor and is used in perfumery as a fixative.
Steam distillation of the balsam gives styrax oil, a light yellow liquid that contains a relatively large amount of cinnamic acid, which partially crystallizes. Styrax oil has a sweet, balsamic odor with a styrene-like top note. It is used in perfumery in floral compositions. Styrax products are produced only on a very small scale.

Chemical properties

The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the crude resin in approximately 0.5 to 1.0% yields. The oil has a balsamic, sweet, slightly spicy odor. Based on the source, the oils are categorized as Asian (levant oil) storax (L. orientalis) and American storax (L. styraciflua).

Physical properties

Both the oils are colorless to pale-yellow liquids.

Occurrence

Storax is a tree found in Turkey.

The Uses of Storax oil

Traditionally, storax has been used in warm-mist vaporizers and as an expectorant. It is used as a diuretic and to treat diarrhea and sore throat. In addition, it is used in the furniture, cosmetic, and food industries. Externally, storax is used to treat wounds and ulcers.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Liquidambar orientalis or Liquidambar styraciflua, Hamamelidaceae.

Essential oil composition

The oil contains several chemicals, the major ones being terpinen-4-ol, α-pinene and sabinene.*