Peru balsam is derived from the Myroxylon pereirae tree native to Central America. It is a viscous, dark brown liquid with a vanilla-like odor and bitter taste. The balsam is extracted by injuring the tree bark, which causes the liquid to exude from the exposed wood. It is then collected with rags and strained. Peru balsam contains various constituents including cinnamaldehyde and resin esters. It is used as a stimulant, expectorant, and antiseptic to treat conditions like bronchitis and asthma both internally and externally.

2. Peru balsam
0 Botanical origin: Myroxylon pereirae ( Klostzsch)
0 Family: Leguminosae
0 Part used: oleoresnous liquid
0 Habitat: Central America in the forest of San Salvado ,
naturlized in Florida and Srilanka

3. Cont ….
0 Constituents :
Cinnamein 60% (consist of benzyl
cinnamate and in lesser quantity benzyl benzoate)
resin ester 30-38% ( peruresinotannol cinnamate and
benzoate ) , vannilin , free cinnamic acid , peruviol and
also other substances in small quantity.

4. Derivation of name
0 Myroxylan is derived from Greek word Myron
meaning ointment
0 And Xylon meaning wood
0 Pereira is in honour of English Pharmacognosist
0 Peru refers to the early importation of the balsam into
Spain via Lima Peru

5. Collection
0 Balsam is pathological product and is formed by
injury to the trees
0 The tree is beaten on four sides
0 Than scorched with a torch to cause the bark to
separate from trunk
0 Four intermediates are strips are left un-injured so as
not to kill the tree
0 Within the week the bark drops from the trunk
0 The balsam begin to exude freely from the exposed
wood

6. Cont …..
0 Areas are rapped with rags
0 And removed time by time when saturated with
balsam
0 Rags are boiled with water and water cools
0 Balsam settle out , recovered , strained and packed.

7. Characters
It is
Dark brown
Viscous liquid appaers reddish brown and
transparent in thin layer
Free from stickiness
It has no empyreumatic
Aromatic vanilla like odour
Bitter , acrid and persistant taste

8. Uses
It is used as
Stimulant
Expectorat
Paracetiside
It is used externally as well as internally in
chronic bronchitis and asthma
It is used in soap manufacturing for fragrance
and it makes a soft creamy lather

9. Proprietary products
0Anusol
0Eudicaine

11. Adulteration
It is used for adulteration of
Castor oil
Copaiba
Canada terpentina

12. Dose
0 Best dose of syrup given is 10-30 drops with the yolk an
egg added or with gumarabica