Rezinoid opoponaksa

Opopanax is the commercial name of bisabol or bissabol, the fragrant oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora guidottii. The tree is native to Somalia and Ethiopia and is known as hadi in Somali. Commiphora guidottii is a shrub or tree growing up to 5 m tall, with greenish or brownish peeling bark. Its growth is associated with gypsum-producing areas and open bushland.

Sometimes the oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora holtziana, often treated as a synonym of C. erythraea or C. kataf, is also sold under the name of opopanax. It has been mistakenly believed that the opopanax of perfumery comes from Commiphora erythraea or Commiphora kataf subsp. erythraea, owing to historical misidentification. The oleo-gum-resin of hagar ad (C. holtziana or C. erythraea) is considered the second strongest-scented bdellium after that of hadi (C. guidottii).

The name opopanax originally refers to the gum resin from plants of the genus Opoponax, which is used in herbal medicine rather than perfumery. Nowadays the true opopanax is seldom used and the commercial opopanax is almost exclusively bisabol. Bisabol is often alternatively spelled opoponax to distinguish it from the true opoponax.

The essential oil of the oleo-gum-resin has α-santalene as its major constituent, and furanoeudesma-1,3-diene and curzerene also occur in large amounts. The essential oil also contains trans-α-bergamotene.

The traditional use of the oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora guidottii for topical treatment of wounds is well documented. Commiphora guidottii has been assessed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by over-harvesting for charcoal, by excessive extraction of its resin and by regional climate change. The species is very rare in Ethiopia.

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Related: Myrrh · Myrrh Oil · Opoponax