Chinese Incense Culture (香学) · Spice Compendium
Benzoin
Benzoin is a resin from the Styrax family. Its sweet, warm aroma can calm the spirit and ward off evil. Since ancient times, it has been used as a purifying incense.
Source：Resin exuded from wounds on the trunks of various trees in the Styrax family.
Origin：Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Sumatra). It was introduced in ancient times via 'Anxi' (Persia), hence the name.
Aroma：Sweet, warm, with hints of vanilla and resin; calming upon smelling.
Uses：Burning incense to purify rooms, calming the spirit; used in medicine to open the orifices, promote qi circulation, and ward off evil. Both Buddhism and Taoism value it; seeIncense Use in the Three Teachings。