Benzoin Gum

Styrax benzoin

The cultivation of Styrax benzoin trees with the expectation of harvesting benzoin gum takes an investment of time more than anything else. In fact, the gum cannot be extracted from the tree for at least seven years. Each mature tree, however, will continue to yield roughly three pounds of resin for the next decade or more.

Benzoin gum is noted for its warm, exotic, vanilla-like fragrance. The resin and powder are blended with other aromatic spices to produce Japanese and Indian incense.

Because benzoin gum fixes other scents and acts as a natural preservative to prevent fats from turning rancid, it is used in a variety of cosmetics, including skin lotions and creams, and soaps.