Description
Balsam obtained from the trunk of trees. Contains cinnamates, styrene, ete. It may contain resin acids and their esters, terpenes, and
oxidation or polymerization products of these terpenes.
Chemical Properties
Storax is an exudate produced in the sapwood (balsam) and bark tissue of the trees L. orientalis and L. styraciflua. The pathological condition is caused intentionally in L. orientalis by removing sections of the bark and injuring the inner sapwood. The crude storax is collected in cans and occasionally pieces of peeled bark are boiled in water to recover additional material. In L. styraciflua (American storax), the exudate accumulates in pockets of older trees; thus, it is not necessary to injure the sapwood to stimulate the pathological condition. Both types are tall trees (ca. 15 m or 49 ft), growing wild in Asia Minor and in the forests of
Central and South America. The trees have leaves similar to maple, with flowers growing in clusters like those of plantain. The part
used is the exudate (balsam). Storax has a pleasant, sweet, balsamic, slightly spicy odor.
Uses
Styrax is an ointment in the treatment of scabies and other parasitic skin diseases; used in inhalations for catarrh of the upper respiratory
tract; in fumigating pastilIes and powders; in perfumes; imbedding material in microscopy; topical protectant; expectorant; some
perfumery uses (aerosol fragrances; apple blossom; fixer the best for soap; Stock) in veterinary medicine, it is used as a parasiticide.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It consists primarily of resins, essential oils, and usually cinnamic and benzoic acids. (Liquidambar styraciflua, Hamamelidaceae).
Composition
The leaves of L. styraciflua contain tannin and small quantities of a volatile oil. The main constituents of storax include styracin, cinnamic acid and its esters, vanillin, styrene and probably styrocamphene. In styrax gummi, the contents of free and hydrolytic cinnamic acid were 7.03 and 25.26%, respectively; and in its original plant L. orientalis, they were 0.3% evenly
General Description
Very viscous, dark amber to brown liquid with an agreeable balsamic odor and taste.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
STYRAX ESSENCE OLIFFAC may react vigorously with strong oxidizing agents. May react exothermically with reducing agents to release hydrogen gas. In the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators, can undergo exothermic addition polymerization.
Health Hazard
SYMPTOMS: STYRAX ESSENCE OLIFFAC may cause skin sensitization.
Fire Hazard
Literature sources indicate that STYRAX ESSENCE OLIFFAC is combustible.
