Myroxylon pereira, Myroxylon toluiferum, Myroxylon balsamum, Myroxylon balsamum var pereirae Steam distilled from the crude balsam in the USA and Canada.
Aroma: Sweet, fresh, earthy, balsamic. Peru balsam has a mild but deep, rich aroma that is woody yet sweet with a vanilla, benzoin quality with a subtle hint of cinnamon.
Description: Peru balsam is traditionally collected from wild trees along the 'Balsam Coast' of El Salvador, though many such trees are available in North America.
History: Historically, this was an important ingredient in the anointing oils of the Christian faith. It was combined with olive oil and used for blessing by a bishop and used as a chrism.
Common Uses: Peru balsam essential oil has been used by aromatherapists for bronchitis, chapped skin, colds, coughing, eczema, the flu, poor circulation, rashes, sensitive skin, and nervous and stress disorders. It is also believed to promote growth of epithelial cells.
Peru Balsam Oil Uses: Bronchitis, chapped skin, colds, coughing, eczema, flu, poor circulation, rashes, sensitive skin, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]
Comments from AromaWeb:
Topically, Peru Balsam has been used over the years to help remedy a number of skin issues including dry skin, and minor cuts and wounds. That could possibly lead a number of people to use it without proper precaution or without properly diluting it first. Proper dilution and doing a skin patch test is strongly recommended. Robert Tisserand mentions that Peru Balsam Oil may cause possible sensitization in some individuals. Based on the information I've read from various sources, I recommend avoiding it for any topical use.
Emotionally, Peru Balsam Oil is soothing and is nice to diffuse in a candle diffuser. It's very thick, so be careful if trying to diffuse it in a nebulizer.
Although Peru Balsam is soothing and can help during times of stress, it can act as a stimulant.
Chemical Composition: Cinnamic acid, cinnamyl cinnamate, benzyl benzoate, benzoic acid, benzyl cinnamate, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzyl ferulate, benzyl isoferulate and vanillin. Cinnamon components are up to 60% of the composition.
Constituents: Benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, benzyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 181.]
Colour: Clear yellow to yellow brown liquid
Consistency: Viscous liquid
Note: Base
Strength of Aroma: Medium
Blends well with: Peru balsam essential oil blends well with spicy, floral, Oriental and balsamic scented oils.
Cautions: Peru balsam may cause skin sensitization in some.
Safety Information: Peru Balsam Oil may cause possible sensitization. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 209.] Several general medical sources advise against using Peru Balsam if breastfeeding or pregnant.