Minimum Shelf Life: 8 years
Plant Part: Resin
Perfume Note: Base
Aroma: Sweet, rich, smooth, balsamic with honey, caramel and vanilla-like notes
Blends well with: Spice, Woods and Florals; especially well with Black Pepper, Lotus Pink, Neroli, Osmanthus, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang Extra, Ylang Ylang Complete
Balsam of Peru essential oil is a thick, viscous substance that has a rich, warm, and sweet aroma. It is a challenging oil to work with as it can be difficult to blend with other aromatic oils without warming it up first. However, we have discovered a small artisan distiller who produces a much more manageable Peru Balsam oil. This oil is much easier to work with as it doesn't require warming to liquefy. Although it is more expensive than the thicker versions, it is well worth the cost.
This tenacious oil is an absolute must-have for any natural perfumer's repertoire. Its aroma is a complex blend of sweet, smooth, caramel, and vanilla notes, making it an excellent base note fixative in perfumes. The oil's almost edible aroma makes it perfect for use in natural perfume, soap, or candle creations. Its rich, sweet, and warm fragrance is ideal for spice, floral, and oriental note perfumes and blends.
Balsam of Peru essential oil has traditionally been used to address a variety of skin disorders, rheumatism, and respiratory conditions due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, and healing properties. Its therapeutic benefits make it a valuable oil to have in any aromatherapist's collection.
Although Balsam of Peru is actually from El Salvador, it is named after Peru because during colonial times, the aromatic balsam was once exported from Peru to Europe for medicinal purposes. The slender yet towering Myroxylon balsamum tree grows extremely well on mountainsides in El Salvador between 500-1500 meters and produces a very aromatic resin that is harvested twice per year. The resin is collected from incisions made in the tree and does not come from fallen trees. There are considerable conservation efforts in the El Salvador region that establish sound ecological practices, harvesting, and replanting of this otherwise 'wild-growing' tree.
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