Peru Balsam

Myroxylon balsamum 

Oleo-resin molecular distilled under vacuum from wild crafted botanicals El Salvador

Like agarwood, Peru Balsam is a pathological exudate from the trunk of the tree. The occasional smoky note can be attributed to any burning during the exudation process although this smoky note might also come from the smoke of the fires traditionally used to heat the boiler.

Arctander says

Peru Balsam is a dark brown, viscous, but pourable liquid. It is transparent but appears reddish brown in color when spread thinly.The odor is the typical “balsamic” one: rich, sweet, cinnamic-benzole, soft and very tenacious, showing an increasing vanillin-like note on dry-out. The balsam though, does not actually “dry-out” when exposed to the air. If you spill Peru Balsam on the outside of the bottle, it will not evaporate. Peru Balsam flavor is bitter, warm and biting, not at all related to the odor.

Peru Balsam oil is not technically an essential oil as it’s not entirely volatile. Some constituents are solid and and a true oil of Peru Balsam is semi-solid at room temperature. It’s a pale yellow or pale amber-colored mass of white crystals in a viscous yellowish colored liquid. The odor is truly balsamic, rich, deep-sweet, slightly spicy and vanillin-sweet. A distinct smoky undertone is natural, but should not be predominant, and may fade away after proper ageing of the oil. The tenacity of this oil is outstanding, making it one of the best fixatives of all essential oils. Peru balsam oil is a versatile perfume material which can be incorporated in almost any type of perfume base or perfume at any concentration.

For delicate floral fragrances this oil blends very well with floral, balsamic and spicy notes. It also blends well with woods, including sandalwood.

Arctander writes at great length about Peru Balsam—I recommend someone with a keen interested in Peru Balsam to check out his book: Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.

Battaglia doesn’t write about this oil; Peru Balsam is not generally recognized as an aromatherapy oil, although it is known to help inward contemplation and calm.

Regarding the photo, this is a temporary photo from Libro del Árbol, Tome II, edited by Celulosa Argentina S. A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 1975. The visual material is not explicitly copyrighted, but the editors thank Mr. Jorge Vallmitjana for his "photographic contribution".