Storax

Storax (Latin: storax; Greek: στύραξ, stúrax), often commercially sold as styrax, is a recent natural resin isolated from the wounded bark of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. (Asia Minor) and Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Central America) (Hamamelidaceae). It is distinct from benzoin (also called "storax"), a similar resin obtained from the Styracaceae plant family.

Purified storax contains circa 33 to 50% storesin, an alcoholic resin, both free and as cinnamic esters. Contains 5 to 15% cinnamic acid, 5 to 15% cinnamyl cinnamate, circa 10% phenylpropyl cinnamate; small amounts of ethyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, and styrene, Some may contain traces of vanillin. Some sources report a resin containing triterpenic acids (oleanolic and 3-epioleanolic acids).

Storax has a pleasant, floral/lilac, leathery, balsamic smell. Storax and its derivatives (resinoid, essential oil, absolute) are used as flavors, fragrances, and in pharmaceuticals (Friar's Balsam).

American storax resin (Liquidambar styraciflua) is chewed like gum to freshen breath and clean teeth.

Mnesimachus, Aristotle, Theophrastus (Historia Plantarum), Herodotus, and Strabo are the first ones to mention the storax tree and its balsam. In ancient Greece, storax also denoted the spike at the lower end of a spearshaft.

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