Storax – Uses, Botanical Source, Characters, and Chemical Constituents

Synonyms:

Styrax, Prepared Styrax, Styrax Preparatus, Liquid Storax

Biological source:

Storax is the purified balsam obtained from the wounded trunk of Liquidambar orientalis Mill of the family I-Iammalidaceae.

Geographical source:

The plant grows in the forests of Asiatic Turkey, where the drug is collected and prepared.

Storax

Macroscopical and microscopical characters:

Storax is a grayish to brownish, semi-transparent viscous liquid or a semi-fluid substance. It usually contains some vegetable debris, including sclerenchymatous fibres. Storax possesses an agreeable, aromatic balsamic odour and a sharp pungent taste. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform and carbon disulphide.

Chemical constituents:

Storax contains resin, cinnamic acid, esters of cinnamic acid, vanillin and styrene.

Uses:

Storax is a stimulant and antiseptic. Its uses are similar to those of Peru Balsam.

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