Steinmetz:Liquidambar

Liquidambar orientalis

Also known as (or relevant to) Liquidambar orientalis Family Hamamelidaceae English Names Styrax Storax tree Oriental Sweet gum tree Natural Habitat South-Western parts of Asia Minor especially Asiatic Turkey Northern Syria Part(s) Used Cortex Styracis = Cortex Thymiamatis Gummi Styrax = Balsamum Styracis

Constituent(s) balsam: cinnamic-acid cinnamic acid esters styrol (phenylethylene) resin vanillin Action gum: anti-scabrous vulnerary stimulant expectorant fumigatory. Styrax calamitus is the residue left after expressing the liquid styrax and is used as incense in churches and mosques

Liquidambar styraciflua

Also known as (or relevant to) Liquidambar styraciflua Family Hamamelidaceae English Names Sweet gum tree (in America American Styrax tree Natural Habitat Southern parts of North America Central America Mexico Part(s) Used Balsamum indicum album

Constituent(s) a yellow balsamic resin known as Ambra liquida which hardens to the air; cinnamic acid Action used for the same purposes as Gummi Styrax (obtained from Liquidambar orientalis)

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book