Gurjum Balm

Gurjum is better known to analysts than to therapists. Its oil has a long record as a diluent in costlier woods such as patchouli. Distilled and sold under its own name, it is a material of real interest: a soft, sesquiterpene-rich wood note with considerable staying power.

01 · Origin

Dipterocarpus turbinatus is a tall forest tree of the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to South and South-East Asia. The oleoresin, gurjun balsam, is collected from wild trees in Indonesia through cuts in the trunk.

02 · Process

The collected balsam is steam distilled to separate the volatile oil from the heavy resin. Alpha-gurjunene leads the oil, with alloaromadendrene and gamma-gurjunene following. All three are sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which explains the oil's weight and slow evaporation. Its composition is also why its presence in other oils can be detected by analysis.

03 · In Practice

Soft, woody and balsamic, faintly sweet and very tenacious. A base note and fixative. Natural perfumery, massage blends and soap formulation. Blends with patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, frankincense, ylang ylang and rose.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.