The blot test

I bought some benzoin online which was labelled "Pure essential oil" . It was colourless, mild in aroma, and very thin.

True Benzoin, (Styrax Benzoin if we're going for Latin names ) is a tree gum, and a such is very thick, yellowy-brown, with strong chocolate and vanilla notes in the aroma. The blob on the left is the "good" benzoin, and the one on the right is the recently-bought product. I smell a rat.

I wasted lots of time writing technical questions to the company about traceability and accountability, before deciding that a pithy review on Amazon might be more effective. The item in question didn't even have a batch number on it, which in my experience is extremely rare. Mind you, we've just heard that many people who write reviews on Amazon have never even seen the product they're reviewing! What interesting lives they must lead, indeed.




(Benzoin Resinoid
Family: Styracaceae

Method of extraction: Steam Distillation.

Chemical constituents: Benzoic, Cinnamic (Acids), Benzoic aldehyde, Vanillin (Aldehydes), Benzyl benzoate (Esther).

Properties: Deodorant, Relaxing, Carminative.

This resinous oil has a great calming and uplifting effect on the mind and helps to comfort the sad and lonely. At the same time it boosts the skin's elasticity, whilst may calm redness, itchiness and irritation.

Blends well with: Benzoin oil goes particularly well with bergamot, coriander, frankincense, juniper, lavender, lemon, myrrh, orange, petitgrain, rose and sandalwood.

Precautions: When concentration is needed, it is best to avoid using benzoin oil as it can have a very relaxing effect.

Styrax Benzoin Resin in itself is practically impossible to work with, we therefore offer the resinoid, which is diluted in 50% Benzyl Benzoate (which is an esther of Benzoin resin, as you can see from it's constituents above).

This loosens the liquid enabling it to be blended with various oils & alcohols much easier but retaining it's true aroma and gorgeous syrupy thickness.

You may still need to warm this oil gently by placing the bottle in a small amount of warm water for a few minutes.)







This morning I went down to the care centre where I'm now volunteering once a week, and attempted to play a game called Nostalgia (it was too difficult for my group) and talked about the Royal Family, and sat in on a watercolour session, which I really enjoyed. I was tempted to go and buy some cheap watercolours, etc, from The Works on my way home, but I ended up forgetting and buying frozen fish for supper instead.