Antiseptic balsam Peru

ACGIH TLV TWA 0.6 ppm SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by inhalation, skin contact, and subcutaneous routes. Mutation data reported. Used as an antiseptic, disinfectant on superficial wounds, and in female reproductive tract. 1 1 mixtures with hexamethylenetetramine explode at 178°C. Incompatible with mercuric oxide, calomel, silver nitrate, tannin, balsam Peru directiy mixed, Li, acetone. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of T. 

Ammonium alum Balsam Peru (Myroxylon pereirae) Sodium percarbonate antiseptic, mild pharmaceuticals Sodium salicylate antiseptic, mild sunscreen lotions Sodium salicylate antiseptic, mucosa Sodium iodate antiseptic, oral care Tea tree (Melaleuca altemifolia) oil antiseptic, oral pharmaceuticals Terpene resin antiseptic, oral rinses Eucalyptol Salicylic acid antiseptic, pharmaceutical ointments Tea tree (Melaleuca altemifolia) oil antiseptic, pharmaceutical topicals Didecyidimonium chloride antiseptic, pharmaceuticals Benzoic acid Bismuth subgallate Cetalkonium chloride Cetylpyridinium chloride Ethyl ether Eugenol Gum benzoin Peracetic acid Thymol 3,4,4 -Trichlorocarbanilide Urea... 

In 1899 Thoms isolated an alcohol from Peru balsam oil, which he termed peruviol. This body was stated to have powerful antiseptic properties, but has not been further investigated until Schimmel Co. took up the subject. The oil after saponification was fractionated, and after benzyl alcohol had distilled over, a light oil with characteristic balsamic odour passed over. It boiled at 125° to 127° at 4 mm., and had a specific gravity 0 8987, optical rotation -1- 12° 22, and refractive index 1-48982. This body appeared to be identical with Hesse s nerolidol, whilst in physical and chemical properties it closely resembles peruviol. The characters of the various preparations were as follows —... 

Benzoic Add, USP. Benzoic acid and its esters occur naturally in gum benzoin and in Peru and tolu balsam.s. It is found as a white crystalline solid that slowly sublimes at room temperature and is steam distillable. It is slightly soluble in water (0.3%) but more. soluble in alcohol and in other polar organic. solvents. It has a pK of 4.2. Benzoic acid is used externally as an antiseptic in lotions, ointment.s. and mouthwashes. It is mure effective as a preservative in foods and pharmaceutical products at low pH (Ic.ss than the pK ). When used as a preservative in emulsions, its effectiveness depends on both pH and distribution into the two pha.scs. ... 

The commercial product contains esters benzyl cinnamate (cinnamein), benzyl benzoate, and cinnamyl cinnamate (styracin). The drug usually contains from 56 to 66% of these esters. Balsam of Peru is used as an antiseptic dressing for wounds (haemorrhoids). 

Balsam of Peru has mild antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is believed to promote the growth of epithelial cells also antiparasitic (especially for scabies) (blumenthal 1). 

Apart from its usage in bakery, cooking, confectionery, toothpastes and dentifrices, perfumes, cosmetics and on toothpicks, oil of cinnamon may be incorporated in proprietary medicines. Calnan(57 ) reported 6 patients with an allergic contact dermatitis from the use of a proprietary antiseptic ointment (TCP ointment), containing oil of cinnamon. Three were positive and three negative to balsam of Peru. Two of the latter cases and one other also reacted to cinnamic aldehyde. 

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