Benzoin
Styrax benzoin (Sumatra Benzoin) and Styrax tonkinense or Styrax benzoides (Siam Benzoin)
Synonyms:
Gum Benjamin
Family:
Styracaceae
Origin:
Siam, Sumatra and Java
Part(s) used:
resin
Special constituents:
Cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresinolic acid esters, mainly coniferyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate (=styracin), coniferyl benzoate, accounting for up to 90%. Free acids, benzoic acid 10-20%, cinnamic acid up to 30%, and sumaresinolic acid. Benzaldehyde. Vanillin, up to about 1%. Siam benzoin contains mainly coniferyl benzoate (ca. 70%), with cinnamyl benzoate, free benzoic acid, sumaresinolic acid and vanillin.
Correspondance:
7,24 (Crowley) 4,7,14,26,27,30 (Lee) Sun/Air (Cunningham)
Uses:
Incense; also as an antiseptic, expectorant and astringent.
Benzoë 
Benzoestyraks, Benzoetræ Benzoin is obtained by wounding the tree and collecting the sap that exudes and hardens on exposure to air. The best quality comes from the first woundings; later the quality deterioates. When pure, it is wholly soluble in alcohol or ether.
Siam Benzoin, from a different species and region, occurs in separate tears coated with reddish-brown resin and has an odour similar to vanilla.
Benzoin is an ingredient of Friar's Balsam, an old formula used to protect and disinfect skin and to treat mouth ulcers. It has been shown that Benzoin stimulates phagocytosis.
In perfumery it is used as an antioxidant and fixative. For this purpose, Tincture of Benzoin is used. Often, though, benzoic acid is used instead. Tincture of Benzoin is also used as an inhalation for coughs, colds and bronchitis.
Patricia Davis writes: " Because of its ability to stimulate at the same time as soothing, it seems to "get things moving" in the body, whether it is clearing mucus, stimulating the circulation, expelling gas or increasing the flow of urine. It is very comforting for griping pains in the stomach, and for urinary tract infections."
Cunningham describes the scent of Benzoin as "purifying". Lee states that it is "intensely "serious" and yet sensuous". Crowley also finds it sensuous; though he writes of the Siam Benzoin, that "it has a peculiar odour strongly suggestive of the treachery of the snake. It is the hidden poison not unlike that of Galbanum. The voluptuousness of the perfume is of that type of debauchery whose fascination is directly connected with the knowledge of its fatal issue."
The essential oil is obtained by solvent extraction. It is not a true essential oil, but a extract of the resin. It is very thick, darkish and sticky. I cannot recommend it - use instead the resin or the tincture.