Peruvian Balsam

PERUVIAN BALSA, Balsamum peruvianum (VII) (syn. B. indicum nigrum, Opobalsamum liquidum), is obtained from the bark of trees Myroxylon balsamum (L.), Myrospermum Pereirae Royle, Myroxylon Pereirae (Royle) Baillon, Toluifera Pereirae Baillon, Toluifera Pereirae Crescentia Cujete, Toluifera balsamum, Myrospermum sonsonatense, of the order Leguminosae, family Papilionatae, growing in the mountains of Central and South America (Republic of San Salvador, Nicaragua, southern Mexico); leaves pinnate, flowers whitish, fruits in the form of yellow beans, one seed. Composition of P. b. 1) Main constituent (55-65%) - cinnamic acid, a mixture of the benzyl ester of benzoic acid, C6H5.CH2.O.CO.C6H5, and the benzyl ester of cinnamic acid, C6H5.CH2.O.CO.CH:CH.C6H5, usually with a significant predominance of the former; an oily, pleasant-smelling liquid. 2) Black resin (not more than 28%) - a mixture of esters of cinnamic and benzoic acids and the resin alcohol perurezino-tanol, C18H20O5. 3) Free cinnamic acid (8-10%), C6H5.CH:CH.COOH. 4) Benzoic acid (in small quantities). 5) Benzyl alcohol, C6H5.CH2OH, a colorless, slightly aromatic liquid. 6) A little (0.05%) vanillin, C8H8O3. 7) Styracin, C16H18O2, the cinnamic ester of cinnamic acid, colorless, odorless needle-shaped crystals (sometimes completely absent, sometimes up to 15%). 8) Styrene, C6H5.CH:CH2, phenylethylene, a well-smelling liquid. 9) Nerolidol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, C5H25.OH, with an orange scent, and some other substances. Different authors give a different composition. P. b. is a heavy oily liquid, brownish-red in color, transparent in a thin layer, non-sticky, non-tacky, and does not dry in air. The taste is initially delicate, then strongly burning, bitter-spicy; the smell is pleasant, reminiscent of vanilla; specific gravity 1.145-1.158; reaction acidic. It dissolves in absolute ethyl alcohol, chloroform, partially in gasoline, turpentine, and ether, mixes up to 15% with castor oil; almost insoluble in water. P. b. mixes with vaseline not easily, not in all proportions, but with lanolin in all proportions. P. b. is stored in vessels with a ground stopper and in a cool place. P. b. is obtained from trees 10-25 years old. P. b. is often falsified because of its high price, by adding fatty oils, castor oil, Copaiba balsam, alcohol, fats, turpentine, styrax, and rosin. P. b. acts locally, moderately irritating tissues and strongly antiseptically; upon oral administration it reduces bronchial mucus secretion and causes increased urine secretion. Upon the administration of large doses internally, vomiting and diarrhea occur due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and acute inflammation of the kidneys from their irritation by the excreted P. b. Application. P. b. is applied: 1) as an anti-parasitic agent - externally for rubbing into the skin, very often for scabies (the scabies mite and its embryos die upon direct contact with the balsam within 20-40 minutes); the balsam is often applied for pediculosis and eczema; 2) as an antiseptic, well-deodorizing agent, the balsam is applied to wounds, ulcers, inflamed skin areas, burns, for lubrication and for inhalations in tuberculosis of the upper respiratory tract, for lubricating the nasal mucosa in ozena; for hemorrhoids, anal fissures; however, internal application for the same purpose in chronic inflammation of the urinary and respiratory apparatus has almost been abandoned, since irritation of the kidneys is possible; 3) as a means accelerating the growth of granulations on ulcers and wounds and promoting epithelization; 4) as a moderately irritating agent in diseases of the hair roots, for bedsores, for chills; 5) as a corrigent in smoking tobacco, lipsticks, ointments, and plasters. It is contraindicated in kidney disease. Preparations. 1. Balsamum peruvianum; externally on the skin up to 15.0 at once, more often half-and-half with alcohol or oil (castor oil); on wounds - 10-20% ointments (e.g., the so-called black ointment consisting of 1 part of nitrate of silver and 10 parts of balsam); internally 0.25-1.0 in capsules or emulsions. Incompatible prescriptions: with boric acid, zinc oxide, vaseline. 2. Perugen - artificial P. b.; a mixture of resins, gum-resins and balsams (Resina Benzoe, B. tolutanum, Styrax liquidus) with artificially prepared esters of benzoic and cinnamic acids; externally similar to natural P. b. and contains 69% cinnamic acid; used to replace P. b., especially in veterinary practice. 3. Oleum B. peruvianum - oil obtained by extracting P. b. with ether, petroleum ether, or carbon disulfide: heavy, reddish-brown in color, with the smell of balsam, soluble in alcohol. Composition - a mixture of benzyl esters of benzoic and cinnamic acids, alcohol of peruviol (C15H,>60), vanillin, and farnesol (C15H35.OH); used in perfumery. 4. Mixtura oleoso-balsamica, s. B. vitae Hoffmanni, contains besides balsam essential oils and is applied externally for torpid ulcers, rheumatism, bedsores. 5. Sirupus B. peruviani. 6. Tinctura B. peruviani (1:10). 7. Unguentum B. peruviani (1:10). 8. A whole series of patented preparations (primarily of German origin) with a special purpose for wounds, bedsores, in diseases of the urinary tract, against scabies, etc. 9. It is part of Mikulicz's ointment (see).