What are Resins?
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This herb box was made by American Indians from an old cedar log. | |
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When some trees are injured, they produce a thick, sometimes solid, sticky substance called a resin. Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) is an example of a resin. In production, the trees will be cut in many spots to encourage the tree to produce its resin.
Natural resins provide therapeutic benefit, but are hard to work with in aromatherapy because they are extremely thick and sticky. You will find liquid resins that have been extracted by solvent or alcohol extraction.