myroxylon balsamum (tolu) resin steam distilled extraction of resin
Tolu Balsam is an amber brown oil obtained from the Tolu tree myroxylon balsamum, a South American native. The essential oil is derived from the wild Tolu trees in Chile and Venezuela. The Balsam trees are tapped like rubber trees to collect their resin-like gums that are used commercially and sold as balsam. Then it is steam distilled and the oil has a complex aroma consisting chiefly of vanilla, balsamic ( and cinnamon) notes with a slight floral character.
its main use is in perfumery, where it is valued for its warm, mellow vanilla-like yet somewhat spicy scent.
Please note - It wont hold the vanilla scent in CP soap: not on its own.
Sediments in cold weather