ETYM Cf. French benjoin, Spanish benjui, Portu. beijoin; all from Arabic lubân-jâwî incense form Sumatra (named Java in Arabic), the first syllable being lost. Related to Benjamin.
Gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation; SYN. gum benzoin, benjamin, gum benjamin, asa dulcis.
1. A hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax) of southeastern Asia used especially as a fixative in perfumes, as incense, and in medicine as an expectorant and skin protectant.
2. A white crystalline hydroxy ketone C14H12O2 made from benzaldehyde.

Term used in some classifications for the American spicebush and certain other plants often included in the genus Lindera; Also called: genus Benzoin.
Balsamic resin used in perfumery, etc., and in medicine as compound tincture called friar's balsam; bitter-almond-oil camphor, found in gum benzoin.
Resin obtained by making incisions in the bark of Styrax benzoin, a tree native to the East Indies. Benzoin is used in the preparation of cosmetics, perfumes, and incense.
The name is also used for several bushes of the genus Lindera of the laurel family, growing in E North America, especially the common spicebush L. benzoin.