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a sourt of juice from a certain tree

2006-08-09 02:40:49 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics Botany

5 answers

Tolu balsam
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Tolu balsam is the resinous secretion of Myroxylon toluifera. The resin, as well as, the leaves and fruit have been traditionally used by the people of Central America to relieve coughs, asthma, and wounds. The resin is tapped from the trunk of the tree through incisions into the bark and collected with dry. The colour of the resin is in the range of light to reddish brown. Tolu balsma is pliable when warm and fractures in a pattern similar to flint when cold. The dry resin has a complex aroma consisting chiefly of cinnamon and vanilla notes with a slight floral character.

The resin is still used in certain cough syrup formulas. However it main use in the modern era is in perfumery, and valued for in warm, mellow yet somewhat spicy scent.

2006-08-09 04:32:26 · answer #1 · answered by Bham 3 · 0 0

tolu

A fragrant balsam said to have been first brought from Santiago de Tolu, in new Granada. See Balsam of Tolu, under Balsam.

(Science: botany) Tolu tree, a large tree (myroxylon toluiferum), the wood of which is red in the center, and has an aromatic rose odour. It affords the balsam called tolu.

2006-08-09 07:44:15 · answer #2 · answered by jamal o 1 · 0 0

Botanical.com - A Modern Herbal, by Mrs. M. Grieve
Balsam of Tolu
Balsam of Tolu
(Myroxylon balsamum)
Click on graphic for larger image
Balsam of Tolu
Botanical: Myrospermum Toluiferum
Family: N.O. Leguminosae

* History
* Constituents
* Medicinal Action and Uses
* Preparations

---Synonyms---Balsamum Tolutanum. Tolutanischer Balsam. Balsamum Americanum.
---Part Used---Exudation.


---History---There is still some obscurity about the origin of the different South American balsam-yielding trees. The appearance of the above variety is said to differ but slightly from the Peruvian, but the method of gathering the balsam is quite different. V-shaped cuts are made in the tree, and the liquid is received into calabash cups placed at an angle; these are emptied into flasks of raw hide, conveyed by donkeys to the depôts, and finally shipped in tin or earthen vessels, which occasionally contain large pieces of red brick. On arrival the balsam is soft and sticky, but exposure to the air makes it hard and brittle, more like resin, with a crystalline appearance. In colour it is pale, yellowish red or brown. It has a sweet, aromatic, resinous taste - becoming soft again when chewed - with an odour resembling vanilla or benzoin, especially fragrant when the balsam is burned, but completely changing and resembling the clove-pink if dissolved in a minute portion of liquor potassa.

As the balsam solidifies, its odour becomes more feeble, but the quantity of cinnamic acid increases, and it thus becomes valuable to perfumers as a fixative, an ounce added to a pound of volatile perfume making it much more permanent.

Tolu Balsam is frequently adulterated with turpentines, styrax, colophony, etc., and may be tested by heating it in sulphuric acid. If pure, it will yield a cherry-red liquid, and will dissolve without any appearance of sulphurous acid.

---Constituents---About 80 per cent amorphous resin, with cinnamic acid, a volatile oil, and a little vanillin, benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate. It is freely soluble in chloroform, glacial acetic acid, acetone, ether, alcohol and liquor potassa, scarcely soluble in petroleum-benzine and benzol.

To distinguish it from Balsam of Peru it can be tested with sulphuric acid and water, yielding a grey mass instead of the lovely violet colour of the genuine Peruvian Balsam.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Stimulant and expectorant, much used as the basis of cough mixtures. The vapour from the balsam dissolved in ether when inhaled, is beneficial in chronic catarrh and other noninflammatory chest complaints. The best form is that of an emulsion, made by titurating the balsam with mucilage and loaf sugar, and adding water.

Two parts of Tolu, 3 of Almond oil, 4 of gum-arabic, and 16 of Rose-water, make an excellent liniment for excoriated nipples.

---Preparations---Tincture, B.P. and U.S.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm. Syrup, B.P. and U.S.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm. Lozenges, incense and pastilles are also prepared.

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Bear in mind "A Modern Herbal" was written with the conventional wisdom of the early 1900's. This should be taken into account as some of the information may now be considered inaccurate, or not in accordance with modern medicine.

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2006-08-09 02:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by govi 2 · 0 0

"Toluene is a clear fragrant liquid whose natural sources include crude oil and the tolu tree. " It is a poor kids "high" in many inner cities as they pay a little bit an inhale it to produce a high that destroys their kidneys and liver.

2006-08-09 02:50:19 · answer #4 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0 0

'a sourt of juice from a certain tree'

Didn't you just answer it?

2006-08-09 02:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by Tiffany kate 2 · 0 0

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