Materials
Peru balsam
Obtained by scorching the bark of Myroxylon in El Salvador, not Peru. Sweet, heavy and cinnamon-vanilla; the single most common positive in dermatology patch tests, which makes it the reference allergen for the whole balsam family.
| Type | balsam |
|---|---|
| Form | Dark brown viscous non-hardening liquid |
| Extracts | Crude balsam (prohibited in fragrance), distilled fractions within limits. |
| Regulation | Crude balsam prohibited; purified extracts limited. |
Scent facets
- sweet
- vanilla-cinnamon
- heavy
- smoky
- balsamic
Botanical source
Origins
Main constituents
Uses
- historic perfumery fixative
- wound ointments (historic)
- flavouring (tobacco, cola)