BENZOIN, in materia medica, a concrete resinous juice, obtained from a large tree growing naturally in both the Indies. The resin is brought from the East Indies in large masses, composed of white and light-brown pieces, with yellowish specks: It easily breaks betwixt the hands. That which is whitest is most esteemed. It has very little taste; but its smell is very fragrant and agreeable, especially when heated. The principal use of benzoin is in perfumes, and as a cosmetic; and enters in substance only into one official composition, the balsamum tranquaticum. But its flowers, which is a white saline concrete obtained by committing it to
the fire in proper vessels, are recommended in disorders of the breast; and in this intention they are made an ingredient in the paregoric elixir, pectoral elixir, and pills, and in the troches of sulphur.