Herbs ~ Benzoin
by Amethyst
Botanical:
Styrax Benzoin
Planetary
associations: Sun,
Mars, Neptune
Zodiac
associations: Leo,
Aquarius
Element:
Air
Gender:
Masculine
Magickal
classifications:
Religious Herbe, Magickal Herbe,
Visionary Herbe
Invocatory:
Aphrodite, Mut, Venus, Ares, Freya, Hathor, Khephera
Part
Used: Resin
Synonyms:
Ben, Benjamin, Gum Benzoin, Siam Benzoin, Siamese Benzoin
Lore
Benzoin is the gum resin that exudes from the bark after tapping and
the trees can apparently produce resin in this way for about 15 to 20
years. Benzoin was first known in English as benjoin
(recorded in the sixteenth century), which was popularly corrupted to
benjamin. This is an adaptation of the same word in French, Spanish and
Portuguese, which derived from the Arab luban-jawi, 'incense from
Sumatra (Java)'.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans knew benzoin, although they called it by
quite different names - 'Silphion' to the Greeks, and 'Laserpitium' to
the Romans. They would include the powdered resin in
pot-pourris because of its very powerful fixative properties.
Benzoin was highly valued by all. In 1461, for instance, the
Sultan of Egypt, Melech Elmazda, sent the Doge of Venice a gift of two
Persian carpets and 30 rotoli (100 rotoli is the equivalent of 80kg/177
lb) of benzoin. The Queen of Cyprus received a similarly
sumptuous present from the Sultan in 1476, 15 rotoli of
benzoin. The Portuguese navigator, Barboza, is thought to
have introduced the precious resin to Europe. Later, in 1623,
the resin's properties were sufficiently valued for the British to set
up a factory in Siam to produce and export it.
Nostradamus, famous for his prognostications, gave many recipes
including benzoin in a 1556 book. It was classified as an
antispasmodic and tonic for skin infections and eruptions. In
France it was called' baume pulmonaire', pulmonary balsam, and the
resin was burned near the ill person, the fumes inhaled. In
France many proprietary medicines are based on benzoin: sweets called
pastilles de serail are taken for colds and 'flu and tablets made that
are bechic and anti-asthmatic. Its properties were not
unknown in British medicine either, because friar's balsam, used as an
inhalant and application for ulcers and wounds, is a tincture of
benzoin compound.
Benzoin is considered sacred to Venus, Aphrodite and to Mut.
It makes excellent incense for use in their temples.
Usage
Benzoin has become associated with two of the Wiccan sabbats.
They are Imbolc (Candlemas) where it is a superior incense, and the
Autumn Equinox in order to help us understand the mysteries behind the
turning of the seasons. Benzoin can help you understand the
nature of transitions both in learning how to live with the Wheel of
the Year and in gaining comprehension regarding the natural cycles of
change.
An herb of purification, burned in incense to sanctify an
area. The scent is also used to attract business when
combined with basil, peony or cinnamon. Benzoin is often used
as a base for incenses. It can be a substitute for storax, to
which it is related.
Benzoin’s best use may be found in its ability to provide
focus, to enhance concentration and to assist you when moving into the
astral. Benzoin is desirable for those who seek to journey or
to project their spirits into the astral. Magickally, benzoin
is known for its ability to promote generosity; it can open a closed
spirit, which is suffering from selfishness. It may also be
used to bring increased success to any magickal working or to attain
magickal goals. Burned as incense during meditation, it
increases the serenity of your energy and environment.
Students of the tarot may use this herbe to move beyond the everyday
symbols of the Seven card of any of the four suits. Indeed,
benzoin may be used to better understand any car of the cups suit.
Benzoin is calming, soothing, and restores confidence for the
Work. This resin is good for purification and prosperity and
works well with other scents and influences, especially as a
preservative. On the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, benzoin is the
perfume of Netzach. Stimulating and aphrodisiac, it is an
excellent ingredient in incense for love magick and was once a frequent
ingredient in Eclectic medicine.
