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Gurjun Balsam in Perfumery | Première Peau

Q: Is Gurjun Balsam natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Steam distillation of crude oleoresin from Dipterocarpus species yields gurjun balsam oil. The balsam is collected by cutting a triangular blaze in the trunk and applying fire to stimulate flow. Oil yield from the crude balsam is approximately 40-70%..

RESINS AND BALSAMS / balsamic · woody · sweet

Gurjun Balsam

Category	RESINS AND BALSAMS
Subcategory	balsamic · woody · sweet
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	Dipterocarpus turbinatus
Appearance	Pale yellow to amber clear oily liquid
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand
Pyramid	Base

Dry, woody-balsamic, with a faint violet-like softness. Gurjun balsam is a southeast Asian oleoresin -- less sweet than Peru balsam, less vanilla than benzoin, quietly woody and soft.

Scent
Terroir & Origins
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery
See Also

Scent

Dry, woody-balsamic, with a faint violet-like softness. Less sweet than Peru balsam, less vanillic than benzoin, with a quiet, self-effacing woody character. The guaiene-derived violet facet is subtle -- more a whisper than a statement. The overall impression is of warm, dry tropical wood with a gentle balsamic finish.

Evolution over time

Immediately

After a few hours

After a few days

Grades & Aging

Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.

The Full Story

Gurjun balsam is an oleoresin obtained from Dipterocarpus species -- large tropical hardwoods native to Southeast Asia (primarily India, Myanmar, and Indonesia). The balsam exudes from bark incisions and has been used as a wood finish, traditional medicine, and aromatic material. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the crude balsam.

The volatile profile is dominated by alpha-gurjunene and beta-gurjunene (sesquiterpenes giving a dry, woody character), with delta-guaiene and gamma-gurjunene contributing additional woody-balsamic facets. The oil has a quiet, undemonstrative character: dry, slightly violet-like (from the guaiene content), and softly balsamic without the sweetness of benzoin or the vanillic warmth of Peru balsam.

In perfumery, gurjun balsam functions as a dry-woody fixative in the base zone. It extends compositions without adding overt sweetness. The note works in woody, oriental, and incense compositions as a quiet, supporting element.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Dipterocarpus trees -- the source of gurjun balsam -- are the dominant canopy trees of Southeast Asian rainforests, accounting for up to 80% of the emergent canopy in some Borneo and Sumatra forests. A single Dipterocarpus tree can produce over 100 litres of oleoresin per year when actively tapped.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Steam distillation of crude oleoresin from Dipterocarpus species yields gurjun balsam oil. The balsam is collected by cutting a triangular blaze in the trunk and applying fire to stimulate flow. Oil yield from the crude balsam is approximately 40-70%.

↑ See Terroir & Origins for origin-specific methods.

Molecular Formula	N/A — complex oleoresin (key: alpha-gurjunene C₁₅H₂₄)
CAS Number	8030-55-5
Botanical Name	Dipterocarpus turbinatus
IFRA Status	Restricted
Synonyms	GURJUN · GURJUN OIL · BORNEO BALSAM
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Lasting Power	400 hours at 20.00%
Appearance	Pale yellow to amber clear oily liquid
Flash Point	> 200.00 °F. TCC ( > 93.33 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.90700 to 0.92500 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.46900 to 1.50000 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Gurjun balsam is a dry-woody fixative in the base zone. Its sesquiterpene-heavy profile (alpha/beta-gurjunene, delta-guaiene) provides quiet woody depth with a faint violet-like softness. Less sweet than Peru balsam or benzoin. Works as a supporting element in woody, oriental, and incense compositions, extending them without adding overt sweetness.

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