This is Frontier's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Some Frontier packs are double wall wax-lined paper.

The balsamic resin from the leaves, bark and roots of the plant Styrax benzoin has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, bacteriacide, incense and perfume – more correctly, one should say as an antiseptic incense.

Benzoin is primarily used for incense. The aroma of benzoin is a sweet-balsamic odor with a distinct vanilla note. Its use as a cleansing religious incense is ancient. In India, the fragrance is sacred to the Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu triad, and Malays use it to deter devils during rice-harvesting ceremonies. Benzoin is widely applied in Orthodox and Catholic Christian religious service.

The benzoin tree is cultivated in Borneo, Java, Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand. Like the rubber tree, its gum is taken from the bark by making a deep incision in the trunk. The gum is dark, with reddish-brown colored streaks. These pigments contain the fatty oils which exude a delicious aroma similar to vanilla.

The Arabs, who traded it as a frankincense substitute, called this Southeast Asia tree 'incense of Java,' or loban jawi. The Europeans interpreted this as benjawi and pronounced it 'benjamin,' then 'benzoin.' They made solid 'vanilla' pomades from it.

The Arab medical and religious tradition is very interesting. It is summarized by Dr. M. Laiq Ali Khan on http://www.islamicvoice.com/march.2001/prophet.htm:

'Hazrat Abdullah Bin Jafar narrates that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: 'fumigate your houses with Loban and sheesh.' (Baihaqui).'

'Another narration reveals: 'fumigate your houses with Loban and Saatar.' (Baihaqui).'

'According to the Hadith scholars, it relieves constipation and stomach pain. It is useful in diarrhoea and is a good digestive. It heals the wounds and ulcers of the eyes, tones up the stomach. It is a good expectorant and decreases the production of phlegm. The gargles of Loban with Saatar relieves the inflammation of the throat and heals up the wounds of the tongue. It enhances the memory if taken internally.'

'It tones up the heart, stomach and increases libido. It is a good appetiser and is carminative. It relieves the cold and cough.'

'The long standing, bad and putrified wounds are healed with Loban speedily. The fumigation of Loban is a good insect repellent. It has qualities of an insecticide, is antiseptic and fights epidemics.'

The Europeans, of course, picked up on this Arab medical tradition. The benzoic acid present in it gives it value in medicine as an antiseptic, as a stimulant, and, in certain respiratory diseases, as an inhalant.

Benzoin is an ingredient of Friar's Balsam which is still widely used. It may be applied topically to wounds and ulcers to protect and disinfect the skin.

It can also be used in the form of Compound Tincture of Benzoin as an inhalation for coughs, colds and bronchitis.

It acts as a carminative when taken internally and is rapidly absorbed. It is also mildly expectorant, diuretic and antiseptic to the urinary passages.

Benzoin Gum is gelatinous when wet, and forms small, hard, water-soluble granules when dried. Benzoin is a natural preservative and prevents the oxidization of essential oils in a blend. It is used as a preservative in creams and ointments, and as a fixative for fragrances in soaps. It is an excellent choice to use as a fixative in perfumes as it holds onto the lighter notes.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'It is used externally in the form of a tincture, diluted with water as a mild stimulant and antiseptic in irritable conditions of the skin.'

'It acts as a carminative when taken internally is rapidly absorbed, and mildly expectorant diuretic and antiseptic to the urinary passages.'

'In the form of Compound Tincture of Benzoin, it is used as an inhalant with steam in laryngitis and bronchitis.'

'It is a preservative of fats, and is used for that purpose in Adips Benzoatus.

'Dosages and Preparations: Benzoic Acid B.P., 5 to 15 grains. Compound Tincture of Benzoin, B.P. and U.S.P., ½ to 1 drachm. Compound Tincture of Camphor, B.P. (paregoric) poison, ½ to 1 drachm. Tincture of Benzoin, B.P.C. ½ to 1 drachm. Tincture of Benzoin, U.S.P., 15 minims.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'The effects of benzoin are much the same as those of benzoic acid, which is its most abundant constituent, modified by the resin and essential oil. It is never given in bulk or alone. It is eliminated chiefly by the mucous membranes.'

'Benzoin exerts a stimulating influence on the mucous tissues, and has been used to promote expectoration in chronic diseases of the air-passages.'

'It is also stated to stimulate the sexual organs.'

'It enters into the manufacture of elixir of paregoric, and constitutes the basis of Turlington's and many other balsams, which exert a salutary influence in healing wounds; the tincture is also employed to form a coating over the adhesive preparations so well known as Court Plaster.'

'The fumes or vapor inhaled into the lungs, has been strongly recommended in chronic pulmonary catarrhs, and old laryngeal inflammations.'

'The tincture is protective and stimulant. In the early stage of coryza and as a dressing for fresh wounds.'

'Benzoin is principally used to prepare benzoic acid, to improve the taste and odor of other medicines, and in perfumery. The dose, in preparations, may be equivalent to 10 to 40 grains.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'The Compound Tincture is vaporized in hot water, and the vapor is inhaled in chronic and acute laryngitis. It is useful in many forms of bronchial irritation without secretion. Its antiseptic properties are not great, but are apparent where there is a scanty, fetid expectoration.'