PDR for Herbal Medicines

738/STRYCHNOS NUX VOMICA

Strychnos nux vomica

See Nux Vomica

Styrax benzoin

See Benzoin

Styrax paralleloneurum

See Sumatra Benzoin

Styrax tonkinensis

See Siam Benzoin

Sumatra Benzoin

Styrax paralleloneurum
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the
balsamic resin obtained from the damaged trunk.
Flower and Fruit: Styrax paralleloneurum is a tree thai
grows up to 35 m high. The flowers are small, the corolla is
violet, and the calyx is 3 to 4.5 mm high. The fruit is 5 to 9
mm in diameter.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The leaves are ovate or lanceolate
and 6 to 16 cm long.
Habitat: Sumatra
Production: Sumatra Benzoin (Gum Benzoin) is the balsam-
ic resin from the damaged trunk of Styrax benzoin and
Styrax paralleloneurum. The optimal age of a tree to be
harvested is 7 years. The tree is cut which causes it to exude
resin to heal the cuts. The resin is then collected in a vessel
and left to melt to a homogenous mass in the sun.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Ester mixture (70 to 80%): composed of coniferyl benzoate
and cinnamyl benzoate, as well as cinnamyl cinnamoate
(styracine), propyl cinnamoate

Phenylacrylic acids: cinnamic acid (10 to 20%)

Vanillin (0.4 to 0.6%)

Triterpenes: including sumaresinolic acid

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

EFFECTS

Sumatra Benzoin has a mild expectorant effect possibly due

to its vanilla content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations of the resin have been used for

respiratory catarrh.

Chinese Medicine: Sumatra Benzoin preparations are used

for stroke, syncopes, postpartum syncope due to heavy loss

of blood, chest and stomach pain.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole herb preparations for

internal use.

Storage: Should be tightly sealed and stored below 25° C.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

James WD, White SW, Yanklowitz B, Allergic contact

dermatitis to compound tincture of benzoin. J Am Acad

Dermatol, 11:847-50, 1984 Nov.

Sumbul

Ferula sumbul

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the rhizome wifii the

roots.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 2.5 m tall shrub. It has

a solid, cylindrical, thin stem, which produces about 12

branches. The fern-like leaflets are blue-gray. The basal

leaves are about 50 cm long and triangular while the cauline

leaves reduce gradually in size until they are little more than

sheath leaves. The roots are 2.5 to 7.5 cm thick. They are

covered on the outside witii a blackish-brown, paper-like,

horizontally folded cork, which is sometimes fibrous. The

fracture is spongy and roughly fibrous with white spots and

resin drops.

Characteristics: The odor is strong and musk-like; the taste

is bitter and aromatic.

Habitat: The plant is found in some parts of Russia,

Turkestan, and northern India.