Basil (linalol, methyl chavicol) • *Benzoin* (coniferyl cinnamate,
*sumaresinolic acid*) • Bergamot (linalyl acetate, linalol) • Black
pepper (pinene, camphene)
http://www.itecworld.co.uk/Itec2005Syllabus/Aromatherapy/Aro...

Benzoin gum - shrubby deciduous tree growing to 28 ft (9 m). Benzoin gum has pointed oval leaves and clusters of fragrant bell-shaped white flowers.
On his voyage in 1497-1498 around the Cape of Good Hope to India, the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama was presented with a gift of benzoin, a substance highly valued by the Indians. Because of its appealing vanilla like aroma, they chose benzoin for an incense in their temples. Medicinally, they used benzoin gum to relieve shingles, ringworm, and a number of other skin disorders. In other parts of southern Asia, benzoin was employed to mend sores on the feet and was traditionally applied to heal the wound made by circumcision.
A member of the storax family, S. benzoin, like many of its relatives, is a fast-growing tree that ranges in height from about 15 feet to an imposing 115 feet. Its fragrant clusters of silky white blossoms are followed by round, 2-inch fruits that hold one or two round seeds. The bark of the tree, covered with a silky whitish down, contains the valuable aromatic resin.
[...]
CONSTITUENTS
Benzoin gum contains variable quantities of cinnamic, benzoic and *sumaresinolic acid esters*, free acids (such as benzoic acid), benzaldehyde, and vanillin.
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_benzoin_gum.htm
Benzoin - (Styrax Benzoin) Cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresinolic acid esters, mainly coniferyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate, coniferyl benzoate (90%); free acids - benzoic acid (10-20%), cinnamic acid (30%), and sumaresinolic acid; benzaldehyde; vanillin (1%). (Antiseptic; expectorant; astringent; benzoin stimulates phagocytosis).
http://bioactive-us.com/pages/complex/apizelenherbalcomplex....

Name : Benzoin
Method : Directly from tree resin
Note Classification : Base
Scent : Warm, sweet, balsamic, slight vanilla, almond
Colour : Reddish-brown, orange-brown, greyish-brown
Species : Styrax Benzoin, Family Styracaceae ( Styrax ). 2 main varieties...
*Sumatra benzoin* ( S. paralleloneurus )
Siam benzoin ( S. tonkinensis )
Extracted From : Directly from tree
Region : Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, LAos, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Thailand
By-products : Friars Balsam is a compound tincture of benzoin and is still used for respiratory complaints
Historical : Used in the East for medicine and incense.
Of Interest : Thick, viscous oil at room temperature. Benzoin is extracted from a large tropical tree up to 20m high.
Aromatherapy Properties : Excellent for respiratory problems. Soothing on nervous systems. Cuts and chapped skin.
Blends Well With : Citrus oils
Chemical Analysis :
Sumatra benzoin : coniferyl cinnamate, *sumaresinolic acid*, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, styrene, vanillin, benzaldehyde
Siam benzoin : coniferyl benzoate 65-75% + benzoic acid, vanillin, siaresinolic acid, cinnamyl benzoate
Safety Data : Non-toxic but occasionally sensitizing. Possible contact dermatitis
http://www.andybarson.co.uk/Aroma/oildata.htm

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΤΑΞΙΝΟΜΗΣΙΣ ΒΕΝΖΟΗ Σουμάτρας γόμμα
ΑΓΓΛΙΚΗ ΤΑΞΙΝΟΜΗΣΙΣ BENZOIM Sumatra gum
ΛΑΤΙΝΙΚΗ ΤΑΞΙΝΟΜΗΣΙΣ BENZOE Sumatra
http://www.alexbaharika.gr/prod.html

ΒΕΝΖΟΗ
(Styrax Benzoin)
Είναι ρητίνη η οποία αποστάζεται από τα εγχώρια δένδρα της Σουμάτρας. Είναι τονωτικό του κυκλοφορικού, δρα κατά του στρες και της νευρικής έντασης.
Είναι εξαιρετικό για αναπνευστικές μολύνσεις, αρθρίτιδα, ουρική αρθρίτιδα και ρευματισμούς.
http://www.esoterica.gr/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4980&which...

Συμπέρασμα:

Suma- : προφανώς από τον τόπο που φύεται το δέντρο, δηλαδή τη Σουμάτρα
resin- : προφανώς από το αγγλικό resin, ρητίνη, ρετσίνι που λαμβάνεται από το ανωτέρω δέντρο
olic acid : ολικό οξύ (;)

Το οξύ αυτό (sumaresinolic acid) περιλαμβάνεται στη χημική σύσταση της Βενζόης Σουμάτρας.
Με μία επιφύλαξη, λοιπόν, θα έλεγα "ελαϊκό οξύ βενζόης Σουμάτρας".


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Note added at 11 hrs (2007-05-22 09:08:43 GMT)
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Επίσης, "ρητινικό οξύ βενζόης Σουμάτρας" για να είμαστε πιο σωστοί