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STORAX TREE
STYRAX OFFICINALIS It heals, mollifies and digests. This tree grows like the Quince tree in size and shape. The leaves are long and round, white underneath and stiff. The white flowers are followed by berries. The bark contains,a gum. There are other similar varieties. Where to find it: It prefers hotter climates such as in Cyprus and Syria. It will grow elsewhere, but is unlikely to produce any gum. Flowering time: Spring. The berries appear in early autumn. Astrology: This is a solar plant. Medicinal virtues: Only the gum is used. It is good for coughs, catarrhs, distillations of rheum and hoarseness. It resists cold poisons. Modern uses: A stimulating expectorant, Storax is a balsam obtained by slitting the bark of the tree. It acts in a similar way to other balsams and is mainly used for asthma, bronchitis and catarrh. It is an ingredient of Friar's Balsam. Ointments containing Storax are used for the treatment of scabies and ringworm. It is seldom available except as an ingredient of pharmaceutical preparations. |