Sambrani

  

It is a balsamic resin obtained from several trees of the family Styracaceae. The resin is dried, powdered and sold in the markets, either as a powder or in blocks. Sambrani usage has been in the culture for many years and in fact every South Indian home will have sambrani holders that will be more than 100 years old.

Many countries use sambrani, in Arab countries they use it directly and in some countries they use it in incense. You can also use it instead of sandalwood shavings as a base for making incense cones. To light up sambrani smoke, coal is collected in sambrani holder and the sambrani powder is sprinkled over it.

Sambrani is produced mainly in Asia in several countries like Thailand, Java, Sumatra, Indonesia and Vietnam. The trees by themselves does not produce any resin, they are produced after deep incisions are made in the bark. Farmers who grow benzoin trees usually pick a spot in the forest usually near already existing benzoin trees. They pick seedlings from the best resin producing tree and when the tree reaches eight years they start tapping for the resin. The resin can be extracted for almost 60 years!

Common Names

• Benzoin Resin (English)
• Loban (Hindi)
• Sambrani (Tamil)

Types of Sambrani

There are two types of benzoin gum commonly available, one is called “Benzoin Gum Siam” got from Styrax Tonkinensis and the other is “Benzoin Gum Sumatra” got from Styrax Benzoin. In the local markets we get two types of Sambrani, one is called “Paal Sambrani” and the other is “Computer Sambrani”. Paal Sambrani is the naturally occurring resin (one of the two) and computer Sambrani refers to a mixture of ingredients in which Sambrani is one of the ingredients, I prefer the Paal sambrani.

• It is externally reddish yellow in colour and internally milky white. It has got a pleasant odor with a distinct note of vanilla so it is used to flavor artificial vanilla and chocolate products. It is also used in pharmaceutical preparations and in perfumes. It comes in four different grades which range from large shaped resin to almost fine powder.

• Sumatra has reddish to greyish brown colour and has strong styrax like odor which is different from Siam variety. It also comes in different grades and is mainly used in soap and detergent fragrances.

How is Sambrani Collected?

The bottom of the tree is tapped and the resin is collected first and then the farmer climbs 2 meters above the tapped part and the resin is collected again, this process is repeated. To collect, the bark of the tree is cleaned with a scraper to prevent the resin mixing with impurities when it flows out.Then 5 small wounds in four sides of the tree about 2cm deep is made. the resin flows under the bark and outside. It is usually collected during rainy season or in the early mornings when it is cold so the resin does not melt while collecting which results in resin getting dirty.

Sambrani Health Benefits

Styrax benzoin has many uses, the tincture is used treating throat infection and cold sores when used as a mouth wash. Benzoin resin is also used for treating dry skin, wounds and inflammation. Sin