Plant of the Week: Tree known since biblical times wards off evil spirits

Name: Styrax (Styrax benzoin)

Otherwise known as: Gum Benjamin, Benzoin

Habitat: A tree member of the Styraceae family growing up to 15m in tropical forests and native to South East Asia. It has a grey bark, pointed ovoid leaves and short racemes of white bell-shaped flowers. The resin is known to give rise to hallucinations when consumed.

What does it do: The bark of the mature tree is tapped annually to produce the highly aromatic resin that hardens on exposure to air and sunlight, which has been used for millennia as a medicine and in religious ceremonies.

Biblical scholars believe that Onycha one of the holy essences referred to in Exodus is Styrax benzoin. The resin from the tree was used extensively in the ancient world and achieved a reputation for reducing tension between neighbouring countries, particularly in the Arab regions, where boxes of the resin would be sent as a gift with instructions to burn the contents in public places thereby inducing a calming atmosphere and feelings of tranquility; a practice no longer pursued.

In oriental countries benzoin was burnt in vapourisers to ward off the effect of evil spells. The crusaders took the resin back to Europe where it featured as an essence employed in church services to induce a pious atmosphere, and to repel the topical parasites, such as fleas and lice.

The resin has many applications particularly in the treatment of skin ailments; it is applied in cases of acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes and for repairing scar tissue. It has a renowned reputation in the treatment of respiratory disorders, such as asthma, bronchitis, dry coughs and laryngitis; it is also applied topically to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, chilblains and poor circulation; it improves skin elasticity. Styrax is an immune booster and is a standard treatment in the east to combat influenza. The effect of burning in a vapouriser is to bring about an atmosphere of calm and euphoria, and to this end it is used to relieve nervous tension, stress, depression and is believed to ‘warm the heart’. Athletes are known to inhale the odour before competitions.

Recent research indicates that styrax stimulates the pancreas and may have a role in balancing blood sugar levels, thereby proving of value to diabetics.

Alexander McCowan is author of The World’s most Dangerous Plants