Storax
OTHER NAME(S): American Storax, American Sweet Gum, Balsam Styracis, Balsamum Styrax Liquidus, Copalm, Copalme, Copalme d'Amérique, Copalme du Levant, Copalme Oriental, Estoraque Liquido, Gum Tree, Levant Storax, Liquidámbar, Liquid Amber, Liquid Storax, Liquidambar, Lu Lu Tong, Opossum Tree, Oriental Sweet Gum, Red Gum, Sigla Tree, Styrax, Sweet Gum, White Gum, Liquidambar orientalis, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liquidambar macrophylla, Estoraque
Overview
Storax is an oily resin (balsam) from Liquidambar orientalis or Liquidambar styraciflua tree trunks. The wood secretes storax when the bark is damaged.
Storax contains chemicals that might have antibacterial effects and reduce swelling. It's obtained by scoring the outer tree bark, then boiling the inner bark in water, and then pressing the inner bark in cold water.
People use storax for stomach pain, eczema, common cold, cough, diarrhea, epilepsy, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse storax with other products that are also commonly called liquid amber, including succinate and St. John's wort. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Storax overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Storax is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in appropriate amounts as medicine. Side effects might include diarrhea and rash. But taking large amounts of storax is possibly unsafe and may cause serious side effects.
When applied to the skin: Storax is possibly safe when used on small areas of skin. But it is possibly unsafe when applied to open wounds. This may cause serious side effects, such as kidney damage.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Storax is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in appropriate amounts as medicine. Side effects might include diarrhea and rash. But taking large amounts of storax is possibly unsafe and may cause serious side effects.
When applied to the skin: Storax is possibly safe when used on small areas of skin. But it is possibly unsafe when applied to open wounds. This may cause serious side effects, such as kidney damage.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if storax is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Storax overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of storax might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Martindale W. Martindale the Extra Pharmacopoeia. Pharmaceutical Press, 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing, 1995.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- El-Readi MZ, Eid HH, Ashour ML, et al. Variations of the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils from leaves and stems of Liquidambar styraciflua (Altingiaceae). J Pharm Pharmacol 2013;65(11):1653-63. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12142.
- Karadeniz B, Ulker Z, Alpsoy L. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of storax in vitro. Toxicol Ind Health 2013;29(2):181-6. doi: 10.1177/0748233711428642.
- Sagdiç O, Ozkan G, Ozcan M, Ozçelik S. A study on inhibitory effects of Sigla tree (Liquidambar orientalis Mill. var. orientalis) storax against several bacteria. Phytother Res 2005;19(6):549-51.
- Xu Z, Lu D, Yuan J, et al. Storax Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats via Suppression of AT1R-Ankrd1-P53 Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022;23(21):13161.