Tolu balsam

Les Parfums Esteban markets multiple fragrances, one of which is called Baume Tolu. It is described in these terms: a generous ointment, Baume Tolu encloses beneath its rocky shell the opulent, colorful richness of lush forests. This natural ingredient thus seems to be incorporated into certain perfumes so as to take the senses on a journey. Focus on this raw material, still little known yet widely used in Europe.

Tolu balsam, an ingredient from South America

Tolu balsam is obtained from the resin of a tree, the finest vintage of which comes from the area around the city of Santiago de Tolu, in Colombia. Tolu is a resin that hardens on contact with oxygen. It is obtained by making a V-shaped incision directly into the bark of the tree. It has been used since time immemorial, and Indigenous peoples employed it, for example, to treat certain ailments. They would burn it, and its smoke helped relieve respiratory conditions, migraines and joint pain. Likewise, in our own time, Tolu balsam is recognized for its invigorating action on bronchial secretions. It is also found in numerous ointments, used to nourish the skin and treat skin conditions. It is thus quite likely that one has used Tolu balsam without knowing it, including in certain antibiotics or cough syrups. Tolu balsam is present everywhere, finding its way into most chewing gums, certain ice creams and many candies. However, it should be noted that Tolu balsam essential oil proves to be particularly potent. It should therefore not be overused. This is why its dosing requires exceptional expertise. Furthermore, the active substances contained in Tolu balsam can prove toxic if overdosed. So, let us take a closer look at perfumers and their fragrances based on this substance…

The scent of Tolu balsam

Once harvested by incision into a tree trunk, Tolu balsam is extracted using volatile solvents, yielding an absolute used in perfumery. It has a warm, sweet, woody and vanilla-like scent. While it can be used in its natural form, it is nowadays exclusively reconstituted synthetically by perfumers. It thus lends a touch of fantasy to fragrances and adds a warm, velvety element to them. It is present in numerous perfumes such as Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens, Cuir Ottoman by Parfum d’Empire, Elixir de Patchouli by Réminiscence or Kenzo Power by Kenzo. It makes these perfumes as soft as a caress, wrapping their sillage in an unparalleled sense of comfort.