Identification
- Generic Name
- Balsam of Peru
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11482
- Background
Balsam of Peru is a resin that comes from the tree Myroxylon balsamum pereirae. It is constituted by a mixture of substances from which the major components are benzyl cinnamate and Benzyl benzoate. Balsam of Peru has also presented several allergens such as cinnamic acid, Benzyl alcohol and Vanillic acid.9 Under the FDA, balsam of Peru is considered as an inactive ingredient to be used for approved drug products6 as well as an approved food additive under the categorization of generally recognized as safe (GRAS).7 By Health Canada, the balsam of Peru is approved by the use of over-the-counter combination products and it is currently approved in veterinary products.8 By the EMA, the balsam of Peru is approved and categorized under the herbal medicine products.10
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Nutraceutical, Vet approved
- Synonyms
- Balsam (peru) oil
- Balsam of Peru essential oil
- Balsam Peru
- Balsam Peru oil
- Balsam peru volatile oil
- Balsam-of-peru oil
- bálsamo de Perú
- bálsamo Perú
- China oil
- Myrospermum pereirae wood oil
- Myrospermum sonsonatense wood oil
- Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae wood oil
- Myroxylon pereirae (balsam peru) oil
- Myroxylon pereirae wood oil
- Peru balsam oil
- Peruvian balsam oil
- Toluifera balsamum var. pereirae wood oil
- Toluifera pereirae wood oil
- External IDs
- FEMA NO. 2117
Pharmacology
- Indication
Balsam of Peru is found in diverse cosmetics and perfumes as well as a flavoring agent in cough syrups, lozenges, chewing gum, and candies.9
As a medical agent, balsam of Peru is used in the local treatment of burns and wounds as an antiseptic.1 It is also used as an expectorant, heart stimulant to increase blood pressure and as a parasiticide.2
Reduce drug development failure ratesBuild, train, & validate machine-learning modelswith evidence-based and structured datasets.Build, train, & validate predictive machine-learning models with structured datasets.- Associated Conditions
Indication Type Indication Combined Product Details Approval Level Age Group Patient Characteristics Dose Form Used in combination to treat Acne Combination Product in combination with: Boric acid (DB11326), Zinc oxide (DB09321), Aluminum hydroxide (DB06723) ••• ••• •••••••• Used in combination to treat Decubitus ulcer Combination Product in combination with: Aluminum hydroxide (DB06723), Boric acid (DB11326), Zinc oxide (DB09321) ••• ••• •••••••• Used in combination to treat Decubitus ulcer Combination Product in combination with: Castor oil (DB11113), Zinc oxide (DB09321) ••• ••• Used in combination to treat Diaper rash Combination Product in combination with: Boric acid (DB11326), Zinc oxide (DB09321), Aluminum hydroxide (DB06723) ••• ••• •••••• •••••••• Used in combination to treat Hemorrhoids Combination Product in combination with: Zinc oxide (DB09321), Benzyl benzoate (DB00676) ••• ••• ••••••••••• - Associated Therapies
- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
Prevent Adverse Drug Events TodayTap into our Clinical API for life-saving information on contraindications & blackbox warnings, population restrictions, harmful risks, & more.Avoid life-threatening adverse drug events with our Clinical API- Pharmacodynamics
As a parasiticide, balsam of Peru is believed to destroy the itch acarus and its eggs. As an expectorant, it is reported that its administration produces a reduction in mucous secretions.2 As a heart stimulant, it has been reported to locally increase the blood flow to even 45% at about 3 hours post administration.3 The antiseptic effect was demonstrated in vitro against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as against fungi. In skin ulcers, the balsam of Peru was shown to accelerate repair and differentiation of scar tissue.10
- Mechanism of action
Balsam of Peru is a capillary bed stimulant that increases circulation in the wound area and it also acts as a mild bactericidal.3 When balsam of Peru is administered in mucous tissues is profused and it lessens the secretions.4
- Absorption
When administered dermally, absorption is not expected.3 When applied topically, the balsam of Peru was detectable in the skin after 1 hour but no longer after 8 hours. The absorption is significantly increased in occluded skin and it is moderately irritating.10
- Volume of distribution
This pharmacokinetic property has not been determined.
- Protein binding
This pharmacokinetic property has not been determined.
- Metabolism
The major constituents of balsam of Peru are rapidly hydrolyzed to benzyl alcohol which is further oxidized to benzoic acid. This metabolite is further conjugated in the liver with glycine to hippuric acid.10
Hover over products below to view reaction partners
- Route of elimination
As balsam of Peru is rapidly metabolized to form hippuric acid it is rapidly excreted via the kidneys and about 75-80% of the dose is eliminated 6 hours after oral administration.10
- Half-life
This pharmacokinetic property has not been determined.
- Clearance
This pharmacokinetic property has not been determined.
- Adverse Effects
Improve decision support & research outcomesWith structured adverse effects data, including: blackbox warnings, adverse reactions, warning & precautions, & incidence rates. View sample adverse effects data in our new Data Library!Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data.- Toxicity
Reports have indicated contact urticaria in users that present some sort of contact with balsam of Peru.5 The reported LD50 in the rabbit is 2-5 g/kg.4
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.Not Available
- Food Interactions
- Not Available
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Sleep Disorder Synergy Oil 1.2 mg/50mg Topical Phytopia Co., Ltd. 2016-04-01 Not applicable US 
- Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image ANUCARE SUPPOSITORY Balsam of Peru (50 mg) + Benzyl benzoate (33 mg) + Zinc oxide (300 mg) Suppository Rectal Y.S.P. INDUSTRIES (M) SDN BHD 2020-09-08 Not applicable Malaysia 
Arnica De LA Abuela Balsam of Peru (.88 g/104mL) + Heterotheca inuloides flower (.59 g/104mL) + Methyl salicylate (1.48 g/104mL) Ointment Topical Laboratorios Bremer, S.A. 2016-01-01 Not applicable US Asthma Aide Synergy Balsam of Peru (4 mg/50mL) + Menthol (4.3 mg/50mL) Oil Topical Phytopia Co., Ltd. 2016-04-01 Not applicable US Atopic Healer Synergy Balsam of Peru (3.6 mg/50mL) + Cocoa butter (4.9 mg/50mL) Oil Topical Phytopia Co., Ltd. 2016-04-01 Not applicable US balsam peru oil PainAway with natural peppermint and Balsam Peru Balsam of Peru (1.2 mg/50mg) + Levomenthol (1.3 mg/50mg) Oil Topical Phytopia Co., Ltd. 2016-04-01 2016-04-08 US - Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Granulex Balsam of Peru (87 mg/1g) + Castor oil (788 mg/1g) + Trypsin (0.12 mg/1g) Spray Topical Mylan Institutional 1967-03-01 2018-05-31 US Optase Balsam of Peru (8.69 g/100g) + Castor oil (78.77 g/100g) + Trypsin (0.012 g/100g) Gel Topical Onset Dermatologics, LLC 2006-04-01 2011-12-31 US Proderm Balsam of Peru (87 mg/1g) + Castor oil (788 mg/1g) Spray Topical Mylan Institutional 2012-09-26 2018-04-30 US Trypsin Complex Balsam of Peru (87.0 mg/1g) + Castor oil (788.0 mg/1g) + Trypsin (0.0036 mg/1g) Ointment Topical Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2009-10-21 2011-06-30 US Vasolex Balsam of Peru (87 mg/1g) + Castor oil (788 mg/1g) + Trypsin (90 [USP'U]/1g) Ointment Topical Stratus Pharmacuticals 2007-02-07 2015-04-09 US
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Classification
- Not classified
- Affected organisms
- Humans
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- DIK0395679
- CAS number
- 8007-00-9
References
- General References
- Avalos-Peralta P, Garcia-Bravo B, Camacho FM: Sensitivity to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru). A study of 50 cases. Contact Dermatitis. 2005 Jun;52(6):304-6. [Article]
- Grieve M. (1995). A modern herbal. Botanical.
- Bolognia J., Jorizzo J. and Schaffer J. (2009). Dermatology E-book (3rd ed.). Elsevier. [ISBN:978-0-7020-51-821]
- Lis-Balchin M. (2006). Aromatherapy science (1st ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. [ISBN:0-85369-578-4]
- FDA Poisonous Plant Database [Link]
- FDA Inactive ingredient search [Link]
- Food Additives & Ingredients [Link]
- Health Canada [Link]
- FDA approved allergenic test [File]
- EMA Assessment Report [File]
- External Links
- PubChem Substance
- 347911201
- 33219
- Wikipedia
- Balsam_of_Peru
- MSDS
- Download (47.7 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 3 Completed Treatment Haemorrhoids 1 2 Completed Treatment Wound 1 2 Terminated Treatment Pressure Ulcers / Spinal Cord Injuries 1 2 Withdrawn Treatment Partial Thickness Wounds 1 1 Completed Not Available Healthy Volunteers (HV) 2
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Suppository Rectal Liquid Topical Tincture Respiratory (inhalation); Topical Liquid Nasal; Respiratory (inhalation) Liquid Respiratory (inhalation) Spray Topical Oil Topical Stick Topical Gel Topical Oil Topical 1.2 mg/50mg Kit Cutaneous Ointment Topical - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Liquid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source boiling point (°C) 314 ºC 'MSDS' water solubility Insoluble 'MSDS' - Predicted Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
- Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Not Available
Drug created at February 25, 2016 20:00 / Updated at December 11, 2021 01:26