What is Peru Balsam? (+ 3 DIY Recipes)
Peru Balsam is an aromatic plant resin native to El Salvador.
Peru Balsam (Myroxylon balsamum var. Pereirae) is a valuable component in aromatherapy due to its beneficial properties for skin health, respiratory support, and immune system enhancement. Its therapeutic benefits echo those of other plant resins like Frankincense, Myrrh, and Elemi.
Skin Benefits: Peru Balsam, known for its ability to soothe and protect irritated skin, can be incorporated into skincare salves for minor cuts, scrapes, and bug bites. It can also be used in daily body moisturizers, providing a nurturing barrier for the skin. For red, itchy, or irritated skin, Peru Balsam infused salves or oils can offer soothing relief. It's also beneficial in scar care applications due to its restorative properties.
Respiratory Benefits: Peru Balsam's comforting aroma can be used in chest rubs for respiratory support, offering a natural remedy for sniffles. Its inhaled aroma is also known to alleviate respiratory discomfort, making it a powerful addition to aromatherapy blends for respiratory relief.
Immune Support: Much like Frankincense and Myrrh, Peru Balsam is a significant ingredient in immune support blends due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can incorporate Peru Balsam into your wellness routine by using either the oleoresin or pre-infused oils, like jojoba. The oleoresin is easy to make your own jojoba infusion. Simply take a small spoonful and drop into a bottle and fill with your favorite liquid carrier. Let this sit for 2-3 weeks until it has a deep aroma.
Here are a few simple recipes:
Peru Balsam Skincare Salve:
INGREDIENTS
0.5 oz Beeswax (Cera flava)
1.5 oz Peru Balsam Infused Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
30 drops Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) for adults (12 drops for children).
DIRECTIONS
Set up the "Stovetop Melting Method." Put a Pyrex measuring cup in a soup pot about ¼ full of gently boiling water.
Put the beeswax into the Pyrex and allow it to melt.
Add the Peru Balsam infused jojoba, and melt it with the beeswax.
Remove the blend from heat, and add the Lavender essential oil, stirring gently with a glass stirring rod or the handle of a stainless steel spoon.
Pour your melted salve into two 1 oz (30 ml) tins.
Peru Balsam Infused Tamanu Oil: This is a gorgeous skin repair blend for very irritated, red, chapped, or itching areas. It's even helpful for scar care.
And it's so simple to make!
Take a 1 oz (30 ml) bottle of tamanu oil (Calophyllum inophyllum), and add 2-3 ml of Peru Balsam oleoresin.
Heat your oleoresin until it's liquid enough to pour a few mls into your tamanu oil.
Or you can take a small "dollop" and put it in the tamanu bottle!
Let your infusion sit for two to three weeks. When it has an aroma that you love, pour off the tamanu oil into another bottle.
The Peru Balsam oleoresin will keep its aroma... meaning you can refill your empty tamanu bottle with another carrier and make another infusion!
Peru Balsam + Palo Santo Perfume:
Carry this grounding, emotionally balancing roll-on blend with you, and use it as often as you like throughout the day!
SAFETY NOTE: Regardless of your preferred form, Peru Balsam offers an array of therapeutic benefits. However, always remember to perform a patch test before comprehensive use to ensure your skin responds well to it.
Use Your Peru Balsam products for:
Daily skincare
Soothing and protecting minor cuts and scrapes
Relieving bug bites and stings
Calming red, itchy, irritated skin
Respiratory support body oils
Chest rubs when a child sniffles (it's gentle for kids!)
Heart-opening perfume oil
And more! Get creative!
If you've ever used vanilla-infused jojoba, the Peru Balsam infusion is much like that. The aroma is more complex with softer vanilla.
Now you know how to make Peru Balsam aromatherapy products!
