Gurjum Balsam Essential Oil (Anisoptera thurifera subsp. thurifera)
Overview
Gurjum Balsam may also be referred to as Dipterocarpus jourdainii, Dipterocarpus turbinatus. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the balsam.
Summary
Dipterocarpus jourdainiiandDipterocarpus turbinatus, are trees that are India and Asia. The tree exudes a resin that is then collected and steam distilled to produce Gurjum Balsam Essential Oil. Gurjum Balsam Essential Oil primarily contains the sesquiterpene a-gurjunene. It possesses a woody and slightly sweet aroma that blends especially well with essential oils in the wood, spice and citrus families.
Essential Facts
- Aroma Description: Gurjum Balsam Essential Oil smells sweet, woody and somewhat balsamic.
- Common Name(s): Dipterocarpus jourdainii, Dipterocarpus turbinatus
- Major Compounds: B-caryophyllene, a-gurjunene, B-gurjunene, allo-aromadendrene
- Perfumery Note: Middle
- Consistency: Thin
- Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
- Color: Clear
- Indigenous Country: Middle
- Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
- Part Typically Used: Balsam
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Conservation Status:
[VU] Vulnerable
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Vegan
Essential Details
Cautions & Safety
Cautions when using Gurjum Balsam:
Sheppard-Hanger indicates that Gurjum Balsam is non-toxic and non-irritating when used at low doses. [Sylla Sheppard-Hanger,The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual (Tampa, FL: Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, 1994), 205.]
Tisserand and Young, list Dipterocarpus tuberculatus and Dipterocarpus turbinatus, as not posing any known risks. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 299.]
Safety Precautions for Gurjum Balsam:
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.