Tolu Balsam
Tolu balsam is a balsam originating from South America (Colombia, Peru, Venezuela). It is similar to and often confused with Balsam of Peru. Tolu balsam is obtained from the living stems of myroxylon balsam.
Description: Fresh Tolu Balm is a brownish, sticky, semi-liquid substance. It gradually becomes a brittle solid, but softens again when heated. The balm contains a relatively large amount of benzyl and cinnamyl esters of benzoic and cinnamic acids (benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate).
Tolu balsam is obtained by cutting a "V" shaped wound in the trunk of the Myroxylon balsamum tree where a certain gourd is attached to catch the oozing resin.
USE:
✅The resin is still used in certain cough syrup formulations.
✅It is also used as a natural remedy for skin rashes. It is very effective in dermatitis and forms of skin allergy.
✅However, the main use in modern times is in perfumery, where it is valued for its warm, gentle, but somewhat spicy scent. Tolu began to be used in the specialty perfume industry, most notably Ormonde Jayne Perfumery who launched their oriental perfume Tolu in 2002 and also in 2010 Esteban who launched Baume Tolu.