Peru Balsam

Other names: Lucerne

Scientific name: Myroxylon balsamum

Common names:

Ayurvedic names:

Chinese names:

Bangladesh names:

Arabic names:    بلسم بيرو (balsam beero)

Rain Forest names:

Family: Fabaceae

Approximate number of species known:

Common parts used: Whole herb, sprouts

Collection:

Annual/Perennial: Perennial

Height: upto 100 feet

Actions: Antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, expectorant, decongestant, mildly laxative, speeds healing

Known Constituents: 45-70% esters including benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate

Solubility: almost insoluble in water, soluble in anhydrous? ethanol

Constituents Explained:

Description: 

Traditional Use:

Known as a nutritious plant, it contains Vitamins A, B vitamins, C, E, K and a varitey of minerals and trace minerals.  A green plant famed for its high chlorophyll content. When in bloom it contains beautiful purple flowers.

Clinical Studies:

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening adverse reaction to the use of heparin anticoagulation therapy that can result in significant skin damage and organ morbidity. 

A case study design is used to describe the innovative use of a topical wound treatment (trypsin-balsam of Peru-castor oil ointment) on bullous lesions related to the effects of this syndrome.

An elderly, morbidly obese woman was treated for 2 weeks with twice-daily applications of the product along with non-adherent oil emulsion dressings. Oozing decreased substantially within a few days and open blisters closed within 1 week. After 2 weeks of therapy, the bullous skin reaction was fully resolved with no recurrence. 

The results of this case study suggest that this topical product may have had a positive effect on the bullous lesions and should be considered for use in other similar significant integumentary reactions.

Reference:

Beitz JM. “Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Bullous Lesion Treated With Trypsin-Balsam Of Peru-Castor Oil Ointment: A Case Study.” 2005 June http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16014993