Balsam Wood

Other tomes: King's

Balsam Wood. Palo Balsamo.—This is a South American wood, derived from an unknown tree, which is believed to contain guaiacin, and which yields to distillation nearly six parts of a thick viscous aromatic oil. This contains as its chief constituent a crystalline solid of alcoholic character, melting at 91° C. (195.8° F.) and corresponding closely to the formula C₁₄H₂₄O. It has found employment in perfumery. (Schim. Rep., April and Oct., 1892.)

The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.