Balsam of Peru facts for kids
Balsam of Peru, also known as Peru balsam, is a special, sweet-smelling liquid. It comes from a tree called Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae. This tree grows mostly in El Salvador.
People use Balsam of Peru in many products. You can find it in foods and drinks for flavor. It's also in perfumes and soaps for its nice smell. Sometimes, it's even used in medicines.
It's important to know that some people can be allergic to Balsam of Peru. This can cause skin rashes or other reactions. It's one of the most common things people are allergic to in patch tests.
Contents
How Balsam of Peru is Made
Getting the Balsam from Trees
Balsam of Peru is collected from the Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae tree. Workers carefully remove strips of bark from the tree trunk. This makes the tree release its resin.
Collecting and Processing
Rags are used to soak up this sticky resin. After the rags are full, they are boiled in water. The balsam then sinks to the bottom. What's left is a dark brown, oily liquid with a strong, sweet smell.
What's Inside Balsam of Peru
Key Ingredients
Balsam of Peru is made up of about 25 different substances. Some of the main ones include cinnamein, cinnamic acid, and vanillin. Vanillin is the same chemical that gives vanilla its flavor.
Other Components
It also contains things like cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamaldehyde. These are found in cinnamon. About 30-40% of Balsam of Peru is made of natural resins and other compounds.
What Balsam of Peru is Used For
Balsam of Peru has four main uses. It adds flavor to foods, scent to perfumes, helps in medicines, and even works as a special glue.
Flavoring Foods and Drinks
Balsam of Peru is used to add flavor to many things you eat and drink.
- Drinks: It can be found in coffee, flavored teas, soft drinks like cola, and fruit juices.
- Sweet Treats: It's in chocolate, vanilla-flavored items, baked goods, puddings, ice cream, chewing gum, and candy.
- Savory Foods: You might find it in citrus fruit peels, marmalade, tomato products (like ketchup and red sauces), chili sauce, barbecue sauce, and pickled vegetables.
- Spices: It's also related to flavors in spices like cloves, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, curry, anise, and ginger.
Fragrance in Personal Products
This balsam adds a nice smell to many products you use every day.
- Perfumes: It's a common ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and deodorants.
- Body Care: You can find it in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, after-shave lotions, and cosmetics like lipsticks.
- Skin Products: It's also in creams, lotions, ointments, baby powders, sunscreens, and suntan lotions.
Medicinal Uses
Balsam of Peru is used in some health products.
- Over-the-Counter Medicines: It's in cough medicines, lozenges, and ointments for diaper rash.
- Skin Treatments: It can be found in oral and lip ointments, calamine lotion, and wound sprays.
- Dentistry: Dentists use it in some materials like dental cement and for treating dry socket.
Special Glue for Optics
Balsam of Peru is also used as a glue for microscope slides. It's very clear and has a refractive index (how light bends through it) that is similar to glass. This makes it perfect for looking at tiny things under a microscope.
Other Places You Might Find It
You might also find Balsam of Peru in toothpaste, mouthwash, cleaning products, insect repellants, air fresheners, scented candles, and even oil paints.
Allergic Reactions to Balsam of Peru
Common Allergies
Many studies show that Balsam of Peru is one of the top five things that cause allergic reactions in people. About 3.8% of people tested in one study were allergic to it. This means their body reacts to it as if it were harmful.
Symptoms of an Allergy
If you are allergic, you might get a contact dermatitis reaction. This can cause redness, swelling, itching, and blisters on your skin.
- Mouth and Lips: If it touches your mouth, it can cause stomatitis (soreness in the mouth or tongue) or cheilitis (sore, inflamed lips).
- Other Reactions: It can also make hand eczema worse. Some people might get a rash on their feet, rhinitis (a runny nose), or conjunctivitis (itchy, red eyes).
Diagnosing an Allergy
Doctors use a patch test to find out if someone is allergic to Balsam of Peru. If the test is positive, it means the person might have problems with certain foods, medicines, or perfumed products. Common foods that can cause issues include spices, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.
Avoiding Allergic Reactions
If you are allergic, your doctor might suggest avoiding foods that contain Balsam of Peru. It can be tricky because some natural ingredients have similar chemicals. Also, sometimes it's not clearly listed on product labels, especially in fragrances, where it might just be called "fragrance." Doctors sometimes have to contact manufacturers to check.
Rules and Regulations
Since 1982, the International Fragrance Association has banned raw Balsam of Peru from being used as a fragrance. However, small amounts of extracts can still be used in products. In 2006, the European Commission also said that raw Balsam of Peru should not be used as a fragrance ingredient.
History of Balsam of Peru
Where the Name Comes From
The name "Balsam of Peru" is a bit misleading. It doesn't actually come from Peru. In the past, during the time of Spanish exploration, this balsam was collected in Central America. It was then shipped to Callao, a port in Peru, before being sent to Europe. Because it passed through Peru, it got its name.
Modern Collection
Today, Balsam of Peru is still collected by hand. Most of it is exported from El Salvador. Another similar balsam, balsam of Tolu, comes from a different tree and is collected in a different way.
Other Names for Balsam of Peru
Balsam of Peru is known by many other names, including:
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See also
In Spanish: Bálsamo del Perú para niños
