Peru Balsam Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Peru Balsam is a thick, fragrant resin that comes from a tropical tree called Myroxylon balsamum, in the bean family. Despite its name, the tree grows mainly in Central America, especially El Salvador, not Peru. The resin is collected by wounding the bark and letting the dark, sticky balsam ooze out.

Peru Balsam has a warm, vanilla-like scent. It has long been used in folk medicine and is still found today in skin ointments, hemorrhoid creams, suppositories, cough syrups, and lozenges. It is also widely used as a fragrance and flavoring agent in cosmetics, perfumes, and some foods.

People most often use Peru Balsam on the skin. It is an ingredient in some products for minor wounds, ulcers, bedsores, hemorrhoids, and diaper rash, where it is thought to help protect the skin and fight germs. It is also taken in lozenges or syrups for coughs and sore throats.

The evidence behind these uses is limited and mostly traditional. Some older topical products combine Peru Balsam with other ingredients (such as castor oil) for wound and hemorrhoid care, but high-quality studies that clearly prove it works on its own are lacking. Laboratory studies suggest it may have some germ-fighting activity, but this does not guarantee a benefit in people.

Overall, Peru Balsam should be seen as a traditional remedy with modest supporting evidence rather than a proven treatment.

Peru Balsam contains a mix of natural compounds, including substances often grouped as "balsamic esters" such as benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate, along with cinnamic and benzoic acids and aromatic oils.

These compounds are thought to have mild antiseptic (germ-killing) and skin-soothing properties, and they may help promote the growth of new skin tissue in wounds. Much of this understanding comes from laboratory research and traditional use rather than large human trials, so the exact way it helps people is not fully proven.

When used on the skin in small amounts, Peru Balsam is often tolerated, but it is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis (an itchy, red skin rash). It is so frequently linked to allergies that it is used in standard skin patch-testing kits. People who are sensitive to fragrances or to related balsams may react to it.

Some people are sensitive to "balsam of Peru" in foods and may be advised by an allergy specialist to limit certain spices and flavorings. Avoid applying it to large areas of broken skin, and stop using it if a rash develops.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable safety information, so it is best to avoid Peru Balsam during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In particular, do not apply it to the breast or nipple area where a nursing infant could ingest it.

Always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using Peru Balsam, especially if you have allergies, sensitive skin, or a chronic wound.

The most common side effect is a skin reaction: redness, itching, burning, or a rash where the product was applied. Some people develop a true allergy with repeated use.

Less commonly, it can cause more widespread allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Taking large amounts internally is not recommended and could cause kidney irritation or other problems. If you have trouble breathing, swelling, or a spreading rash, stop using it and seek medical care.

There is no well-established standardized dose for Peru Balsam. It is usually found as one ingredient in finished topical products, lozenges, or syrups rather than as a stand-alone supplement.

Follow the directions on the specific product label, and use the smallest amount needed. Because strength varies between products and allergic reactions are common, check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, and do a small skin-area test if you have sensitive skin.