Nomenclature
CAS number: 8023-62-9
Styrax; sweet oriental gum.
Description and references
Balsam obtained from the trunk of Liquidambar
orientalis Mill., known as Levant Storax, or of L. styraciflua L., known as American Storax (family Hamamelidaceae).
Habit. Levant storax is native to Asia Minor. American
storax is produced chiefly in Honduras; found along the Atlantic coast
from Connecticut to Central America. Constit. 33-50% α-
and β-storesin and its cinnamic ester; 5-10% styracin; 10% phenylpropyl
cinnamate; small amounts of ethyl cinnamate; benzyl cinnamate; 5-15%
free cinnamic acid; styrene; 0.4% levorotatory oil; C10H16O, and traces of vanillin.
Properties
Semiliquid, grayish, sticky, opaque mass (Levant
storax) or a semisolid, sometimes solid mass softened by warming (American
storax). Storax is transparent in thin layers, has characteristic
taste and odor, and is denser than water. Insol in water. Almost
completely sol in 1 part warm alcohol, ether, acetone, carbon disulfide.
Ingredient of Compound Benzoin Tincture,
see Benzoin.
Use
In fumigating pastilles and powders; in perfumery;
as imbedding material in microscopy.
Therapeutic Category
Topical protectant. Expectorant.
Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)
As a component of Compound Benzoin Tincture.
Has been used as a parasiticide.
Keywords
Expectorant; Topical Protectant