Peru balsam is obtained by incision of the stem of Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae (Royle) Klotsch at high temperature, belonging to family Papilionaceae.
BALSAM OF PERU
Synonyms
Peruvian Balsam; Indian Balsam; China oil; Black Balsam;
Honduras Balsam; Surnam Balsam; Peru Balsam; Balsa-mum peruvianum.
Biological Source
Peru balsam is obtained by incision of the stem of Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae (Royle)
Klotsch at high temperature, belonging
to family Papilionaceae.
Geographical Source
The plant is most widely found in Colombia, Venezuela,
Central America (San Salvador), in forests near Pacific coast and cultivated in
West Indies, Cuba, Florida, and Sri Lanka.
Collection
M. pereirae is a large tree, about 25 meters in
height. Peru balsam is a pathological
resin and is formed when the plant is injured. The 10-years old tree is beaten
on four sides in November or December. The cracked bark is scorched with torch
to separate it from the trunk. Within a week the bark is dropped from trunk and
the balsam begins to flow from the exposed wood. The injured part is covered
with cloths or rags in which the resin is absorbed. When the cloths are
saturated with exudates, they are removed from time to time and boiled with
water. On cooling the water extracted balsam is settled out which is removed,
strained, packed in tin cans, and exported to get balsamo de trapo.
The balsam produced in the bark is obtained by boiling the
bark in water and is known as tacuasonte (prepared without fire) or balsamo de
cascara (balsam of the bark). By the removal of narrow strips of bark and the
replacement of scorching with the use of a hot iron the tree recovers in six
months. The drug is chiefly exported from Acajutla (San Salvador) and Belize
(British Honduras) in tin container holding about 27 kg.
Characteristics
Fresh Peru Balsam is a soft, yellow, viscous syrupy liquid,
or semisolid. On keeping it becomes dark brown, or nearly black, brittle solid.
It softens on heating in which crystals of cinnamic acid may be visible under
microscope, it does not stick, has an empyreumatic, aromatic, vanilla-like
odour, and a bitter, acrid, persistent taste. It is insoluble in water and olive
oil but soluble in alcohol, chloroform, and glacial acetic acid, usually with a
slight opalescense.
The solution in alcohol (90%) becomes turbid on the addition
of further solvent. The relative density, 1.14–1.17, is a good indication of
purity, and if abnormal indicates adulteration with fixed oils, alcohol and
kerosene.
Chemical Constituents
The drug contains balsamic esters (45–70%) like benzyl cinnamate
(cinnamein), (50–60%), benzyl benzoate, and cinnamyl cinnamate (styracin),
resin (28%) consisting of peruresinotannol combined with cinnamic and benzoic
acids, alcohols [nerolidol (peruviol), farnesol, and benzyl alcohol], and small
amounts of vanillin and free cinnamic acid.
Chemical Tests
1. Its alcoholic solution gives green
colour with ferric chloride.
2. TLC of its ethyl acetate shows two
main spots of benzylic esters under UV light.
3. TLC sprayed with phosphomolybdic
acid shows the presence of nerolidol.
4. It reacts with potassium
permanganate to yield benzaldehyde.
Uses
Peru Balsam is used as miticide, to aid in healing of
indolent wounds, as scabicide and parasiticide, in skin catarrh, diarrhoea,
ulcer therapy, as local protectant, and rubefacient. It is an antiseptic and
vulnerary and as a stimulating expectorant. It is also employed in perfumery
and some chocolate flavourings, also in making of odours.
Peruvian Balsam is topically used as an antiseptic to treat
burns, frostbites, cracks, erythema, pruritus, ulcers, and wounds. Its
suppositories are used to cure pain, pruritus, piles, and other anal
disorders. It is an ingredient in cosmetic and hygiene products (soups, creams,
lotions, detergents) and in fixative. It can cause contact dermatitis in some
people.
Marketed Products
It is one of the ingredients of the preparation known as
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 12 Vitamin C Enriched.
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