Peru balsam


Peru balsam

[pə′rü ¦bȯl·səm] (materials) A dark, viscous liquid with bitter taste and pleasant aroma; soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, chloroform, benzene, and glacial acetic acid; derived from the tropical American tree Myroxylon pereirae; main components are esters of cinnamic and benzoic acids; used in perfumery, medicine, and chocolate manufacture. Also known as balsam of Peru; black balsam; China oil; Chinese oil; Indian balsam; Peruvian balsam.