Liquidambar (Styrax)
Details
- Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua L.
- Origin: Honduras
- Process: Benign Solvent Extracted Resinoid (Ethanol is the solvent used, no Hexane)
- Plant Part: Natural Oleoresin (also known as a Balsam)
- Cultivation: Wildcrafted
- Use: Aromatherapy / Natural Perfumery / Incense. Always dilute.
- Note: Middle to Base Note, Excellent Fixative
- Aroma Family: Resinous
- Aroma: Very rich, sweet-balsamic, faintly floral, somewhat spicy aroma, with a peculiar styrene topnote and resinous, animalic, amber-like undertones; has excellent fixative qualities.
- Contraindications: Skin sensitization (moderate risk); please see Safety Considerations below.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Overview
Liquidambar (Styrax) Essential Oil
We searched for many years to find a high-quality, authentic hexane-free Liquidambar resinoid. This is it, and we are happy to offer it to you. The aroma of our Liquidambar (Styrax), also known as Sweet Gum, is very rich, sweet-balsamic, faintly floral and somewhat spicy, with resinous, animalic, amber-like undertones. A unique styrene top note of hydrocarbon character displays as a characteristic ‘gasoline-type’ (some say ‘metallic’) odor that mellows to a great extent with time and usually becomes odorless.1 While Liquidambar may not appeal to everyone, this unusual material can be used to enhance a formula when used in small amounts and is best used as a component of a composition, rather than on its own.2 Because of its content of high boiling constituents, “it acts as a most efficient odor fixative.”3 Perhaps this explains in part why it was one of the most valued of ancient perfumes; it was also burned as an altar incense.4 In modern times, it is used in quality perfumes – for example, the classics of Tweed (1933) by Lenthéric5, Chanel No 5 (1921) by Chanel6, and Apres l’Ondèe (1906) by Guerlain7.
It is especially hard to find a Liquidambar resinoid that has a pleasant aroma – numerous materials on the perfumery market offered as true Liquidambar are quite often compounded.8 There is also a lot of discussion around the irritancy and allergenic potential of Styrax, although much of it seems based on ‘poor’ data and misinformation. This product is actually prohibited by the IFRA due to this potentially faulty data,9 however Styrax consistently shows very low percentages of these occurrences – and typically only in individuals with prior sensitization issues.
PLEASE NOTE: A component in Liquidambar (Styrax) called styrene is in the chemical class of vinyls; while styrene blends with fixed (carrier) oils, most alcohol is too polar (water content too high) to dissolve these molecules and will either precipitate out or cause cloudiness. Our experience is that only slight cloudiness occurs when Liquidambar is combined with 190 proof alcohol. This can be ameliorated by chill filtering.
For information regarding the attributes of Liquidambar (Styrax), please see:
- The Aromatherapy Companion, Victoria H Edwards, 2015, p. 51.
- L’Aromatherapie Exactement, Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël, 1990, p. 367.
- 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, Jeanne Rose, 1999, p. 145.
For information regarding the use of Liquidambar (Styrax) in natural perfumery, please see:
- Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Steffen Arctander, 1960, pp. 599-601.
- The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes, Richard A and Iona Miller, 1990, pp. 69-71.
- The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwood, 2016, pp. 453-4.
- Scented Flora of the World, Roy Genders, 1994, p. 290.
Aromatic Profile: Very rich, sweet-balsamic, faintly floral, somewhat spicy aroma, with a peculiar styrene topnote and resinous, animalic, amber-like undertones; has excellent fixative qualities.
Appearance: Medium to light brown, transparent, viscous (thick honey-like) liquid. This oil may require special use instructions to blend.
Use: Aromatherapy, Natural Perfumery, Incense.
Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved.
Blends Well With: Ambrette, Angelica, Anise (Star), Basil, Benzoin, Bergamot, Carnation, Cassie, Champaca, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Davana, Fir, Balsam, Frankincense, Galbanum, Hay, Jasmine, Laurel Leaf, Lavender, Linden Blossom, Mandarin, Mimosa, Neroli, Opopanax, Palo Santo, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Spruce, Tagetes, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Vanilla, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang. Liquidambar (Styrax) is “used in numerous types of floral perfumes, e.g., lilac, hyacinth, apple blossom, carnations, etc. In spite of its deep sweetness, its dry-floral note makes it suitable for cassie, mimosa, violet, carnation and hawthorn (spicy notes!), lavender and fougère (sweetness and tenacity), rose, etc…. and is one of the most interesting perfume materials.”10
Safety Considerations: Moderate risk of skin sensitization; to be used with caution on hypersensitive or damaged skin and on children less than 2 years of age.11 In consumer products, maximum dermal use level of 0.6% is recommended.12 Please note that this product is restricted by the IFRA.13 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
1 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 600-601.
2 Ibid.
3 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. V, 1985, p. 254.
4 Miller, Richard and Iona Miller. The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes, 1990, p. 69.
5 Groom, Nigel. The New Perfume Handbook, 2nd ed., 1997, pp. 317-8.
6 Calkin, Robert and J Stephan Jellinek. Perfumery – Practice and Principles, 1994, p. 117.
8 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 600-601.
9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 433.
10 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 600-601.
11 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 432.
12 Ibid.
13 https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library , CAS No. 8024-01-9 and others.
The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.
Customer Reviews for Liquidambar (Styrax)
- unearthly Review by Carolyn
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Rating This is one of the best things I have ever smelled in my life. It's right up there with Cistus ladanifer. I hope to use Liquidambar in lotions, especially those that contain Sandalwood for therapeutic purposes. I just can't love Sandalwood of any kind; some days it even smells like old oxidized cooking oil to me. But I just applied some Sandalwood to my skin, then added a touch of Liquidambar, and the two together became heavenly.(Posted on 8/24/2023)
- Outstanding Review by MountainWitch
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Rating Styrax is one of those which you might smell and dislike at first approach. It has a very dry floral and woody scent, slightly spiced and honeyed. Outstanding in a composition.(Posted on 1/8/2021)
- Very strong undiluted Review by Great Scent Recreation
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Rating I got this to make sweetgum incense. When I first opened it and smelled directly from the bottle, it was super strong, overpowering and did not smell like sweetgum at all. I was really disappointed but after a few days I tried smelling the box it had been in and then realized it smelled really nice and just like sweetgum!! So just keep in mind that the scent is VERY concentrated and it needs to be diffused or mixed to be enjoyed best. Thank you, great job!(Posted on 12/29/2020)
- Styrax Review by Israel
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Rating This styrax actually blends very well with Eden Agarwood just to let everyone know.(Posted on 5/1/2019)
- Not like the description Review by Feyza
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Rating I was really excited to try this skytrax. However the batch that i received (570-3 lot 8) was disappointing for me. It has a strong balsamic+animal-pee like aroma, so it is not really a pleasant smell for me. I cant imagine to use it in any mix unless it is super diluted.(Posted on 12/21/2017)
- Gardenia, I'm tellin ya Review by Linda
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Rating I put this on my skin and immediately thought..(Posted on 11/19/2017)
What is that I know...
Gardenia. Gardenia.
When gardenia isn't possible to get in an EO.
So I'm putting it on this morning, and my mom asks, in the other rooms:
What is that you're wearing?
What?
It smells like gardenia
It really smells gardenia.
So, there.
It does smell like gardenia.
- fixateur Fine fragrances Review by Juan Manuel
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Rating This material is very animal character .. extremely powerful fixative of perfumes, (48 or more hours in skin 30% alcohol solution) has a final note to dry saliva, unconsciously has sexual appeal to our primitive animal smell, someone who oilio After a few days he told me that he was orrible, after that he wanted to stay smelling him forever ... he was stuck to him (lol).(Posted on 11/1/2017)
- Worth a try Review by torotar
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Rating I've been an amateur natural perfumer for over 30 years. I've had other styrax oils before but this one is a little different, in a surprisingly delightful way. The initial note is very similar to other styrax oils I've worked with but on drydown this one reveals an anamalic note that I've never encountered in the others. It's a bit akin to human funk, almost fecal. Don't be put off by that word as it's a concept in basenotes of some of the finest French perfumes. That is why materials such as civet, castoreum and musk were used in perfumes. This oil also lasts longer than any other styrax that I've ever worked with making it a good fixative. It can be sweetened a bit with vanilla to balance the animalic quality very nicely. A good oil well worth investigating, at the very least.(Posted on 9/29/2017)
- Sticky and delicious Review by John
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Rating This styrax is quite different than what i've received from other sources. It took a little getting used to, as it is thicker, and I'm relatively new to working with more "advanced" oils/fragrances. It seems like this is a truer styrax than the others I've tried, as it seems much more complex: it is sweet, with (what I think I've identified as.. and please correct me if necessary) a coumarin-esque note, in addition to the vanilla, burnt sugar, and spice (cinnamon? allspice?) that I expected.(Posted on 1/11/2016)
This sticky, complex resin has helped me to identify different notes in all types of oils. Thank you Eden for helping me on my olfactory quests!
- Strange, complex, fascinating, useful! Review by Shannon
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Rating This is styrax as it's supposed to be. It's a complex, unusual and intriguing scent comprising several elements blended naturally in such a way as to make it hard to pull them out.(Posted on 10/20/2015)
It is sweet - but not sweet as in sugar; sweet as in resinously sweet. It is lightly resinous. And, when you dilute it and let it settle a little bit (days/weeks), it reveals some very naughty - and yet strangely attractive - facets of itself. You could say that it smells, then (though not entirely), of the intimate area of a woman who is expressing arousal through scent, mixed with a bit of the scent of her hind quarters, and a hint of something else equally uncouth in the background.
This may sound unpleasant, but it is surprisingly attractive in a primal and feral sort of way at the right concentration. I have found that styrax is useful for two things (at very low concentrations; I typically use 1%): it makes an excellent natural fixative, and it is also noticeably aphrodisiac! These two uses, however, require exquisite care to get the amount right, and you must use it in combination with the right components otherwise to achieve the noticeably aphrodisiac effect.
If you have not smelled styrax, this is something you will find fascinating to discover. Highly recommended. I suggest mixing with oil instead of ethanol.
- An Eldritch Scent Review by Meredith
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Rating This scent confused me, but not in such a way where I could not tell what was in it. The smells seem to me almost a ritual. Spice and bitterness. A touch of sweet that binds the two. Consecrated with an overtone of heat. It all comes together to make something new and strange. Almost unidentifiable in its alien nature. The only recommendation I have is the try the scent for yourself.(Posted on 8/13/2015)
- UnUsUaL bLiSs Review by MD
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Rating I bought a half oz of this months ago, it was AMAZING! The human flesh note was animalic and almost alienish. To me, that's the turn on. So different yet familiar. The dried fruit notes are a pleasure and great for oriental, resin, incense and even ambergris interpretations. Anyone questioning this, I highly recommend. ESSPECIALLY if blended. I smear this on alone but it's not for the faint of heart. I'v easily offended random people. Then I ordered a 1/4 oz of this and still loved it. Had more of a pear like note and just adds that resinous tone. Going back for more! Thanks eden, keep this bizzare beauty around!!!(Posted on 12/20/2014)
- Cinnamon and styrofoam Review by David J
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Rating Very warm and spicy. There is a strong hint of something very like cinnamon, but more tenacious and less bombastic; a spiciness that won't overwhelm your blend. There is a sweet, chemical like component similar to opoponax (sweet myrrh) that is particularly nice when rounded out with vanilla.(Posted on 1/28/2014)
- Tears of resin Review by What Men Should Smell Like
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Rating The quality of styrax can vary. This is my styrax of choice. Nicely balanced with sweet notes of dried fruit. A great choice for blending oriental style perfume creations.(Posted on 3/22/2013)
- Eden's Liquidambar Review by Michele L.
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Rating I ordered a sample of this Liquidambar and was very surprised at its sweet but mellow note. It's hard to describe, but is indeed myrrh-like or amber-like, with a hint of floral sweetness. A wonderful little brightener for any woodsy mix. I've paired it with the Nagarmotha, vetiver and patchouli for something a little different. A good one to try if you're in the mood to experiment. You'll not go wrong!(Posted on 2/25/2013)
- sweet surprise Review by stella
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Rating This was the first time I smelled styrax and I can say I was pleasantly surprised. Yes it's sweet but it also has some of the human warmth of a very good myyrh. A great component of any kind of amber interpretation.(Posted on 2/18/2013)
