Balsam of Peru Oil EO


Details

 

  • Handling Difficulty: INTERMEDIATE. This product is prone to crystallization and separation and must be slowly warmed and gently shaken before each use.
  • Botanical Name: Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae
  • Origin: El Salvador
  • Process: Vacuum Distilled Essential Oil
  • Plant Part: Resin
  • Cultivation: Wild Grown, unsprayed
  • Use: Aromatherapy / Natural Perfumery / Incense. Always dilute.
  • Note: Base Note, Excellent Fixative
  • Aroma Families: Balsamic, Resinous
  • Aroma: Richly balsamic, deep vanilla-sweet aroma, with soft clove-like and mild woody, smoky, leathery-animalic undertones.
  • Contraindications: Possible skin sensitizer; please see Safety Considerations below.



Product Name SKU Price Qty
  1. Balsam of Peru Oil Sample (1 ml) 80-3
    $2.00
  2. Balsam of Peru Oil 15 ml (1/2 oz) 80-015
    $12.75
  3. Balsam of Peru Oil 30 ml (1 oz) 80-030
    $21.00
  4. Balsam of Peru Oil 2 oz 80-9
    $37.00
  5. Balsam of Peru Oil 4 oz 80-10
    $64.75
  6. Balsam of Peru Oil 8 oz 80-11
    $117.00
  7. Balsam of Peru Oil 16 oz 80-12
    $211.00
  8. Balsam of Peru Oil 1 kg 80-25
    $376.25
  9. For larger sizes or quantities please contact us for pricing and availability.         

Overview

Balsam of Peru Essential Oil

Our Balsam of Peru oil has a rich, vanilla-like aroma, making it a cost effective substitute in natural perfumery when a sweet vanilla note is desired. It is easy to pour, completely soluble in fixed carrier (vegetal) oils and 190 proof alcohol, and makes an excellent fixative in natural perfumery.

The principal areas of trees from which Balsam of Peru oil is produced are mainly along the Balsam Coast where El Salvador meets the Pacific Ocean; the trees are often planted for their shade on coffee plantations. Balsam of Peru is also typically known as Peru Balsam, however the name is somewhat misleading as to its origin. In the past, the balsam was transported by land from El Salvador to coastal cities of Peru; from these ports, the balsam was shipped to other countries, thus acquiring the misconception of its origin.1

The historical uses of Balsam of Peru date as far back as the early Mayan culture where it was used as incense for ceremonial purposes. Sixteenth century popes sanctioned the substitution of Balsam of Peru for the much harder to find Mecca balsam (Balm of Gilead) for ceremonial incense use as well as for anointing oils.

For information about traditional uses and attributes of Balsam of Peru Oil, please see:

  • L'Aromathérapie Exactement, Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël, 1990, p. 377.
  • The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless, 2013, p. 43.

For information regarding the use of Balsam of Peru Oil in perfumery, please see:


Aromatic Profile: Richly balsamic, deep vanilla-sweet aroma, with soft clove-like and mild woody, smoky, leathery-animalic undertones.


Appearance: Golden yellow, transparent, mobile liquid. Ranges from mobile liquid to fully crystallized at room temperature. May require special use instructions to liquefy.


Use: Aromatherapy, Natural Perfumery, Incense.


Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop until the desired effect is achieved.


Blends Well With: Agarwood, Ambrette, Anise (Star), Beeswax, Benzoin, Cardamom, Carnation, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Fir Balsam Absolute, Hay, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Linden Blossom, Liquidambar (Styrax), Lotus Absolute, Mandarin, Mimosa, Nagarmotha, Orange, Orange Blossom Absolute, Orris, Osmanthus, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Vanilla, Vetiver, Violet Leaf Absolute, Ylang Ylang. "The tenacity in odor of this oil is outstanding, making it one of the best fixatives among all essential oils. [It] can be incorporated into almost any type of perfume at concentrations of from less than one percent up to more than five percent. A smoky undertone is natural and may fade away after proper ageing of the oil."2


Safety Considerations: Several sensitizing compounds are present in Balsam of Peru resin that are generally not found in the essential oil; published data do not support the conclusion that Balsam of Peru oil is a strong sensitizer. However, there is moderate risk of skin sensitization. Avoid use with children less than 2 years of age. Maximum dermal use level for Balsam of Peru oil is 0.4% according to IFRA (International Fragrance Association) guidelines.3 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. V, 1952, pp. 212-3.

2 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 524.

3 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 390-1.


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.

Balsam of Peru Oil EO

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Customer Reviews for Balsam of Peru Oil EO

Give it the time it deserves Review by
Rating
5
This is a great material and an especially good value for the low cost.
The scent has immediate complexity. Three things emerge right out of the gate. Smoke, vanilla and salt. In dry down, it becomes more powdery. It can work well in oriental bases with various combos of Styrax, vanilla,labdanum,sandalwood, but I recommend limiting its use to very small amounts in any blend. Only one review here states that it has no odor to speak of. I would suggest the reviewer see an otolaryngologyist for possible anosmia.
(Posted on 3/6/2024)
such a good affordable vanilla scent. Review by
Rating
5
this is a very tenacious oil. it smells like resin, vanilla, benzoin, cream, musk, wood, VANILLA, masculine, car. really good affordable vanilla.
(Posted on 3/2/2024)
vanillla + poplar bud Review by
Rating
5
great one, but so tenacious and the smell is overwhelming, so better be careful with this one

smells vanilla to me of course plus the smell of poplar bud gum when they fall from the tree in the spring.
(Posted on 8/2/2023)
It's THICK Review by
Rating
5
All the goodness is in the thickness at bottom. It smells amazing with sandalwood.
(Posted on 5/8/2023)
Not sure what the fuss is about. Review by
Rating
1
Reading the description you think WOW, this will be amazing. But it barely has any fragrance whatsoever. Luckily I didn't pay much for it so at least there's that. I won't be back
(Posted on 4/30/2023)
Bully-proof greasy car parts and burnt tires in a bottle with benzene-ish drydown Review by
Rating
5
This one doesn't mess around! It's a bully repellant! This is Copaiba on steroids (I tried that one earlier) with a decidedly Vetiverish dry-down. This one is even more overpowering, more intoxicating and even more assertive-masculine than Copaiba, if that's even possible! As with the other resin, this is my first time ever sampling Peru Balsam, and it totally smells like a junkyard: greasy automobile parts and burnt tires... if they had a non-offensive, provocative fragrance, this would be it. My girl-nose definitely prefers Copaiba, it's slightly "cleaner". Even though both are somewhat similar (greasy, motor-oily and leathery) this one adds the "dirty" and burnt touch, and is even more "in-your-face" overpowering. (1 single drop, no more, and build your blend from there!)

Not for the timid... unless you want to be the Nutty alter-ego of that 1950's shy movie Professor! Ideal for ultra-masculine blends. If I was a (boy) security guard at the junkyard working the graveyard shift but too scared of ghosts and other spooks, to go outside, I'd stay indoors playing video games, and, right before the boss came in, I'd dab a couple drops of this: I'd smell doused in gasoline, like I've been patrolling the spare parts and scrap metal lot the whole night! It's the scent of when you come out from fixing the underside of your car, and your face is all smeared in thick oil and your leather jacket totally exudes the fragrance of Peru Balsam... in a strangely dirty-clean good way!
(Posted on 9/6/2020)
Bathe in it Review by
Rating
5
I love this oil just on its own! I dilute and wear it alone,It has become one of my favorite fragrances. However like someone stated above it doesn’t like to miss behave in Berlin and a little goes a long way couple drops no more. You can always add more but you can’t take any out here it has become one of my favorite fragrances. However like someone stated above it does like to miss behave in Blends and a little goes a long way couple drops no more. You can always add more but you can’t take any out ya know! I find this fragrance to be heavenly and I can’t wait to work with that more and find out what pairs well with it
(Posted on 1/10/2019)
Unique, Versatile, Long-Lasting, Eye-Widening Scent Review by
Rating
5
This is one of my favorite oils by far! I would personally describe the fragrance as honeyed and lightly smoked vanilla, ambery with a woody/balsamic underlying note. Many of my own blends are being infiltrated by this unique oil, and I've found it to work really well as a substitute for amber (in tandem with cistus/labdanum and copaiba balsam) and vanilla (with benzoin). A little goes a long way--the blends I've made with this have only required a drop or two to bring out its amazing scent, yet it can also be used in larger quantities for a very vanilla- and amber-like base. It also has one of the longest lasting scents of all of the essential oils I've worked with thus far (60+), with its baser notes of smoky, coniferous vanilla lasting well into the next day. Highly recommended!!!
(Posted on 11/13/2017)
inexplicably fishy in blends. Review by
Rating
3
on its own, this note is unreal: warm and sweet and almost culinary off the top, with a background saltiness, almost a fattiness, that melts into this stunning charred wood and smoke, properly acrid to the nose. it smells like an inverted sister scent to benzoin.

but in blends is where it starts to misbehave. that same saltiness becomes, in the presence of other materials, fish. sardines. salty, fatty, fishy sardines just hovering in the background, unwilling to be covered up. it unfurls into that beautiful, roasted marshmallow, autumn bonfire scent during the actual drydown, but by then, the damage is done. there's nothing i can do to cover the top that doesn't also weaken that gorgeous drydown i want. maybe it's the batch i got, but i can't help but feel a little devastated!
(Posted on 7/27/2016)
Exceptional Review by
Rating
5
Very sweet, delicious vanilla, hindered only by a subtle mustard seed note.
(Posted on 6/28/2016)
Campfire happiness Review by
Rating
5
If it were possible to bottle the aroma of eating a blackened marshmallow (for those who prefer blackened to golden) this is it. Actually smells like burnt sugar, char, AND the hot sappy tip of the roasting stick. True woodsmoke in a gentle, lingering-in-one's-hair kind of way...I love it. Fascinating fragrance, lots of possibilities here!
(Posted on 4/20/2016)
Does not disappoint Review by
Rating
5
Ordered a sample... I will be ordering a larger bottle! It is phenomenal! Going to be making a body spray for my husband and a perfume for me. Probably one of my new favorite oils!
(Posted on 12/5/2015)
Oh yes! Review by
Rating
5
This is some sexy stuff. At the same time - dark, smoldering campfire, dry creamy vanilla, and a minute hint of cinnamon.

The overall character is plush and warm, like literally wearing a cashmere sweater. It's sheer heft and plushness means that it would give a substantive base to a blend. This would do wonders for those seeking to make an oriental that is more dark in tone and want to use something other than a traditional amber note.

My only complaint about Peru Balsam is that the smokiness overwhelms the more pleasant aspects of the aroma, but at the same time that is the beauty of it, and for that I love this stuff! It may also be interesting to point out that the drydown (when left on the skin for a few hrs - at least on mine) leaves a rather sensual trail ;-)
(Posted on 7/27/2015)
The Good Stuff Review by
Rating
5
I use Eden's BoP quite a lot in my perfume blends. The woody note is very mild but the vanilla note is perfect and only mildly sweet which makes it perfect when you want a touch of vanilla at the end in comparison to natural vanilla which is both pervasive and very sweet. The hint of cinnamon scent here just adds to the experience. Blending tip: combine a bit of BoP with Eden's Labdanum absolute for a really nice "amber" which can serve as a great base for many creations. Stunning with Eden's Morrocan rose.
(Posted on 3/7/2015)
A Favorite.... Review by
Rating
5
One of my most favorite oils from Eden. Very rich and smooth, almost edible quality. I love blending a few drops into my massage oil products
(Posted on 2/28/2013)
Delectable Base Note Review by
Rating
5
This Balsam of Peru Oil has a creamier, sweeter vanilla-like scent. Since ordering and receiving it, it has become my go-to base note when I want to create a foody fragrance with a round finish. It has a light finish that sticks around for hours.
(Posted on 2/20/2013)