Peru balsam
Common name
Peru balsam
ID
HD0231
Scientific name of the plant
Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. perierae (Royle) Harms
Anatomical part for use
N/A
Human use
Urinary tract and genital disorders
Summary
Balsam of Peru or Peru balsam, also known and marketed by many other names, is a balsam derived from a tree known as Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae; it is found in El Salvador, where it is an endemic species.
Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties. It has a sweet scent. In some instances, balsam of Peru is listed on the ingredient label of a product by one of its various names, but it may not be required to be listed by its name by mandatory labeling conventions.
It can cause allergic reactions, with numerous large surveys identifying it as being in the "top five" allergens most commonly causing patch test reactions. It may cause inflammation, redness, swelling, soreness, itching, and blisters, including allergic contact dermatitis, stomatitis (inflammation and soreness of the mouth or tongue), cheilitis (inflammation, rash, or painful erosion of the lips, oropharyngeal mucosa, or angles of the mouth), pruritus, hand eczema, generalized or resistant plantar dermatitis, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.
Evidence Level
Level 0 (No convinced report of liver injury caused by herbal and dietary supplement)
Hepatotoxicity Description
N/A
Uses
Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties.In some cases, it is listed on the ingredient label of a product by one of its various names. Naturally occurring ingredients may contain substances identical to or very closely related to balsam of Peru.It has four primary uses:
flavoring in foods and drinks such as:
caffeinated -- coffee, flavored tea
alcoholic -- wine, beer, gin, liqueurs, apéritifs (e.g. vermouth, bitters)
soft drinks, including cola
juice
citrus -- citrus fruit peel, marmalade
tomatoes -- tomato-containing products, Mexican and Italian foods with red sauces, ketchup
spices, e.g. -- cloves, Jamaica pepper (allspice), cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, curry, anise, ginger
sauces -- chili sauce, barbecue sauce, chutney
pickled vegetables -- pickles
sweets -- chocolate, vanilla, baked goods and pastries, pudding, ice cream, chewing gum, candy
fragrance in perfumes and toiletries such as:
perfumes, colognes, deodorants, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, after-shave lotions, cosmetics, lipsticks, creams, lotions, ointments, baby powders, sunscreens, suntan lotions
medicinal products such as:
over-the-counter products, hemorrhoid suppositories and ointment, cough medicine/suppressant and lozenges, diaper rash ointments, oral and lip ointments, tincture of benzoin, wound spray (it has been reported to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as the common ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori in test-tube studies), calamine lotion, surgical dressings
dentistry -- dental cement, eugenol used by dentists, some periodontal impression materials, treatment of dry socket.
optical properties as a glue, typically as a mounting medium for microscope specimens due to purified balsam of Peru's transparency and refractive index of 1.597 being very close to that of many glasses used in opticsIt also can be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, scented tobacco, cleaning products, pesticides, insect repellants, air fresheners and deodorizers, scented candles, and oil paint. (Source: Wiki)
Common name
Peru balsam
ID
HD0231
Scientific name of the plant
Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. perierae (Royle) Harms
Anatomical part for use
N/A
Human use
Urinary tract and genital disorders
Summary
Balsam of Peru or Peru balsam, also known and marketed by many other names, is a balsam derived from a tree known as Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae; it is found in El Salvador, where it is an endemic species. Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties. It has a sweet scent. In some instances, balsam of Peru is listed on the ingredient label of a product by one of its various names, but it may not be required to be listed by its name by mandatory labeling conventions. It can cause allergic reactions, with numerous large surveys identifying it as being in the "top five" allergens most commonly causing patch test reactions. It may cause inflammation, redness, swelling, soreness, itching, and blisters, including allergic contact dermatitis, stomatitis (inflammation and soreness of the mouth or tongue), cheilitis (inflammation, rash, or painful erosion of the lips, oropharyngeal mucosa, or angles of the mouth), pruritus, hand eczema, generalized or resistant plantar dermatitis, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.
Evidence Level
Level 0 (No convinced report of liver injury caused by herbal and dietary supplement)
Hepatotoxicity Description
N/A
Uses
Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties.In some cases, it is listed on the ingredient label of a product by one of its various names. Naturally occurring ingredients may contain substances identical to or very closely related to balsam of Peru.It has four primary uses: flavoring in foods and drinks such as: caffeinated -- coffee, flavored tea alcoholic -- wine, beer, gin, liqueurs, apéritifs (e.g. vermouth, bitters) soft drinks, including cola juice citrus -- citrus fruit peel, marmalade tomatoes -- tomato-containing products, Mexican and Italian foods with red sauces, ketchup spices, e.g. -- cloves, Jamaica pepper (allspice), cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, curry, anise, ginger sauces -- chili sauce, barbecue sauce, chutney pickled vegetables -- pickles sweets -- chocolate, vanilla, baked goods and pastries, pudding, ice cream, chewing gum, candy fragrance in perfumes and toiletries such as: perfumes, colognes, deodorants, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, after-shave lotions, cosmetics, lipsticks, creams, lotions, ointments, baby powders, sunscreens, suntan lotions medicinal products such as: over-the-counter products, hemorrhoid suppositories and ointment, cough medicine/suppressant and lozenges, diaper rash ointments, oral and lip ointments, tincture of benzoin, wound spray (it has been reported to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as the common ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori in test-tube studies), calamine lotion, surgical dressings dentistry -- dental cement, eugenol used by dentists, some periodontal impression materials, treatment of dry socket. optical properties as a glue, typically as a mounting medium for microscope specimens due to purified balsam of Peru's transparency and refractive index of 1.597 being very close to that of many glasses used in opticsIt also can be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, scented tobacco, cleaning products, pesticides, insect repellants, air fresheners and deodorizers, scented candles, and oil paint. (Source: Wiki)