Title: Storax
CAS Registry Number: 8023-62-9
Additional Names: Styrax; sweet oriental gum
Literature References: Balsam obtained from the trunk of Liquidambar orientalis Mill., known as Levant Storax, or of L. styraciflua L., known as American Storax (family Hamamelidaceae). Habit. Levant storax is native to Asia Minor. American storax is produced chiefly in Honduras; found along the Atlantic coast from Connecticut to Central America. Constit. 33-50% a- and b-storesin and its cinnamic ester; 5-10% styracin; 10% phenylpropyl cinnamate; small amounts of ethyl cinnamate; benzyl cinnamate; 5-15% free cinnamic acid; styrene; 0.4% levorotatory oil; C10H16O, and traces of vanillin.
Properties: Semiliquid, grayish, sticky, opaque mass (Levant storax) or a semisolid, sometimes solid mass softened by warming (American storax). Storax is transparent in thin layers, has characteristic taste and odor, and is denser than water. Insol in water. Almost completely sol in 1 part warm alcohol, ether, acetone, carbon disulfide. Ingredient of Compound Benzoin Tincture, see Benzoin.
Use: In fumigating pastilles and powders; in perfumery; as imbedding material in microscopy.
Therap-Cat: Topical protectant. Expectorant.
Therap-Cat-Vet: As a component of Compound Benzoin Tincture. Has been used as a parasiticide.
Keywords: Expectorant; Topical Protectant. |