Tolu balsam is a luxuriant, tall tree reaching more than 20 m (65 ft) in height; it usually grows in the northern part of
South America (Magdalena River Valley and Nueva Granada region in Venezuela). The balsam consists of the plant exudate oozing
from incisions made on the trunk. The fluid gum that exudes through capillary conduits in the tree is collected in cups placed at different
heights along the trunk. The balsam is a semisolid plastic mass, brown or brownish-yellow, with a sweet, aromatic, persistent
odor reminiscent of vanilla. Aging and climatic conditions strongly affect the appearance of the balsam. In addition to hardening, the
balsam becomes friable with a glassy, clean cleavage on aging. The part used is the balsam exudate. Tolu balsam has an agreeable,
sweet, lasting odor similar to hyacinth.
Tolu balsam resinoid is produced by extraction of the balsam of M. balsamum
(L.) Harms var. balsamum and M. balsamum (L.) Harms var. genuinum
(Fabaceae), which grow, for example, in Brazil or Venezuela. It is a dark orangebrownmass
with a sweet, resinous, long-lasting odor, reminiscent of hyacinth. An
essential oil is also distilled from the balsam.
Tolu balsam resinoid contains a fairly large amount of benzyl and cinnamyl
esters of benzoic and cinnamic acid.
Both the resinoid and the balsam are used in perfumery, mainly for their fixative
properties.
The balsam can be steam-distilled, yielding 2 to 7% oil. It is a viscous, pale-yellow to lightorange
oil with a pleasant, sweet, resinous odor reminiscent of hyacinth.
In the tree of Myroxylon balsamum, also known as M. toluiferum L. Harms (Fam. Leguminosae) (Guenther. 1952).
resinous material from Myroxylon samum used as perfume fixative; in soap perfumery; vehicle for cough mixtures; expectorant; antiseptic
By the tapping of the tree. M. balsamum L. Harms (Guenther, 1952).
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It consists primarily of resins, essential oils, and usually cinnamic and benzoic acids. (Myroxylon balsamum, Leguminosae).
A mild skin irritant. When heatedto decomposition it yields toxic and irritating fumes andsmoke.
The absorption and excretion of balsams such as balsam tolu has been reviewed by LeNouene (1966). Benzoic and cinnamic acids, which are major components of balsam tolu, are excreted in the urine, chiefly as hippuric acid.
