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BALSAM TOLU
Source:Myroxylon balsamumHarms (syn.
M. toluiferum H. B. and K.) (Family
Leguminosae or Fabaceae).
Common/vernacular names: Balsam tolu,
opobalsam resin tolu, Thomas balsam, and
tolu balsam.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Balsam tolu is obtained from the tree trunk of
M. balsamumby making V-shaped incisions
through the bark and sap wood. The liquid
balsam is collected in gourds and solidifies
on aging. The balsam is a plastic solid with a
brown or brownish-yellow color that darkens
and hardens on aging. Like balsam Peru, it is a
true balsam. Tolu balsam has an aromatic
vanilla-like odor and an aromatic, mildly pun-
gent taste; it is insoluble in water but soluble
in alcohol, acetone, benzene, and chlorinated
hydrocarbons.
Myroxylon balsamumis a tall tree native
to northern South America (Colombia, Peru,
Venezuela), cultivated in the West Indies.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Contains resin, free cinnamic and benzoic
acids, and volatile oil composed mainly of
esters of these acids with small amounts of
terpenes. Concentrations of these constituents
vary greatly with each report, probably due to
the great differences in quality of commercial
products and the lack of requirements for
determining specific components in official
compendia (e.g., U.S.P.). Other constituents
present include guaiadienes, triterpene acids
(oleanolic acid, sumaresinolic acid, etc.), oth-
er triterpenoids (e.g., 20R,24x 2 -ocotillone),
and traces of eugenol and vanillin, among
many other compounds (CLAUS; KARRER;
MERCK; REMINGTON).1–5None of the recent
reports identified with certainly the sources
of thesamples investigated, withthe exception
of some museum specimens that were shown
to contain benzyl cinnamate not found in
modern commercial samples.2,6
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
It has mild antiseptic and expectorant
properties.
TOXICOLOGY
Allergic reactions to tolu balsam occur in
some individuals.3,7
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Balsam tolu is extensively used as a flavor
and mild expectorant in cough medicines
(e.g., syrups, lozenges, etc.); also used as an
ingredient in Compound Benzoin Tincture or
similar formulations for treatment of bed-
sores, cracked nipples, lips, and minor cuts
on the skin and for inhalation to treat laryngitis
and croup. Both balsam and its oil (obtained
by dry or steam distillation) are used as a
fixative or fragrance ingredient in cosmetics
including soaps, detergents, creams, lotions,
and perfumes, with maximum use levels of
0.1% in soaps and 0.2% in perfumesreported.^3
Balsam tolu 71
