This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Liquidambar orientalis work as an expectorant?
Liquidambar orientalis produces storax resin containing active compounds including cinnamic acid, styracin, and various terpenes. These compounds are believed to work through antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory pathways. When used in steam inhalation, the volatile terpenes help loosen bronchial secretions and promote expectoration. The cinnamic acid component demonstrates antiseptic activity against respiratory pathogens. Evidence level: C (limited clinical evidence, primarily traditional use and in vitro studies).
Does Liquidambar orientalis interact with any medications?
There are no well-documented drug interactions for Liquidambar orientalis in the current literature. However, due to limited clinical research, caution is advised when combining it with other medications. The resin's active compounds, including cinnamic acid derivatives, have not been extensively studied for pharmacokinetic interactions. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using storax resin preparations. Evidence level: C (insufficient data to rule out interactions).
What is the recommended dosage for Liquidambar orientalis resin?
For adults, the typical dosage depends on the application. For steam inhalation as an expectorant, approximately 0.5 grams of the resin may be used. For topical wound healing applications, the resin can be applied directly to the affected skin area. Due to limited standardization, users should follow product-specific instructions and start with lower amounts to assess tolerance. Evidence level: C (traditional use guidelines).
Is Liquidambar orientalis safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Liquidambar orientalis is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The storax resin contains bioactive compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development. There is insufficient safety data for use during breastfeeding, so nursing mothers should also avoid this herb. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal preparations containing storax resin.
What is storax resin used for in traditional medicine?
Storax resin from Liquidambar orientalis has been used traditionally in Middle Eastern medicine for respiratory conditions and wound healing. As an expectorant, it helps clear mucus from the airways during coughs and bronchitis. Topically, the resin is applied to wounds, skin conditions, and minor infections due to its antiseptic properties. Traditional applications also include treatment of various dermatological complaints. Evidence level: C (traditional use with limited clinical validation).
What are the side effects of Liquidambar orientalis?
Liquidambar orientalis may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, particularly those sensitive to balsam of Peru or other resinous compounds. Skin sensitization can occur with topical application, resulting in contact dermatitis, redness, itching, or rash. Internal use may cause gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals. A patch test is recommended before widespread topical application. Discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Liquidambar orientalis, also known as the Anatolian sweetgum or Sigla tree, is an endemic species from southwestern Turkey whose resin (storax/styrax) is used for wound healing, gastroprotection, and neuroprotection [PMID:37699128, 23588094, 30687092].
Background
Liquidambar orientalis Mill. is a relict tree species endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically southwestern Turkey [PMID:41387771, 37699128]. Its resinous exudate, known as storax or styrax liquidus, is obtained from the wounded trunk or bark of the tree [PMID:32909456, 23588094].
Traditional uses
In Turkish folk medicine, it has been used for centuries to treat wounds, burns, skin diseases, peptic ulcers, nocturnal enuresis, parasitic infections, and as an antiseptic or expectorant [PMID:41469630, 27737816, 37909188]. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used for centuries to treat acute stroke [PMID:30687092].
Active compounds
The primary chemical constituent of the gum is styrene (78.5%) [PMID:37699128]. Other identified components include phenylpropyl cinnamate [PMID:41469630], free and hydrolytic cinnamic acid [PMID:9812682], and various volatile compounds such as benzyl alcohol, acetophenone, 1-phenyl-1-ethanol, hydrocinnamyl alcohol, and trans-cinnamyl aldehyde [PMID:25153870]. Ravidomycin derivatives have also been identified in the gum extract [PMID:32909456].
Mechanism of action
In prostate cancer cells, the gum extract induces autophagic cell death by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway [PMID:32909456]. In astrocytes, it protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injury by inhibiting NF-κB activation [PMID:30687092]. In myocardial ischemic injury, it promotes mitochondrial function via the AMPK-PGC1α signaling pathway [PMID:37897405].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DWound Healing
In a porcine model, storax application resulted in a greater depth of granulation tissue at 4 and 8 days compared to other dressings [PMID:22853813]. In vitro, sweetgum oil increased human keratinocyte proliferation and migration, accelerating scratch-wound closure [PMID:41469630].
Evidence DIschemic Stroke
In rat models, a dose of 0.4 g/kg styrax significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume and improved neurological function [PMID:37621078].
Evidence DMyocardial Ischemic Injury
Styrax extract reduced cardiac damage and promoted mitochondrial function in rat models [PMID:37897405].
Evidence DPeptic Ulcers
A chloroform extract of Styrax liquidus demonstrated a statistically significant gastroprotective effect in an ethanol-induced peptic ulcer rat model [PMID:23588094].
Evidence DHepatotoxicity
Sweetgum oil showed a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats [PMID:26079853].
Evidence D
Safety & adverse effects
In vitro studies on human lymphocytes showed that storax balsam extract (SE) increased sister chromatid exchange frequency and elevated LDH levels at concentrations of 1.6 and 4.0 μg/mL, suggesting potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects [PMID:22155886]. However, other studies evaluated its safety from the viewpoint of mutagenicity and genotoxicity [PMID:27737816].
Evidence summary
The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro cellular assays and in vivo animal models (rats, pigs). There are no human clinical trials provided; therefore, the overall strength of evidence for clinical efficacy in humans is low (Level D).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 37956814 (2024) — Bilayer wound dressing composed of asymmetric polycaprolactone membrane and chitosan-carrageenan hydrogel incorporating storax balsam. · International journal of biological macromolecules
2.PMID: 37475660 (2023) — Sigla storax (Liquidambar orientalis) mitigates in vitro methane production without disturbances in rumen microbiota and nutrient fermentation in comparison to monensin. · Journal of applied microbiology
3.PMID: 16114094 (2005) — A study on inhibitory effects of Siğla tree (Liquidambar orientalis Mill. var. orientalis) storax against several bacteria. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 25153870 (2014) — Fumigant toxicity of Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) and valerian (Valeriana wallichii) essential oils and their components, including their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, against Japanese termites (Reticulitermes speratus). · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Extracts showed cytotoxic and apoptotic effects against prostate [PMID:32909456, 37699128], colorectal [PMID:34291706], lung [PMID:37699128], breast [PMID:37699128], and laryngeal (HEp-2) [PMID:37909188] cancer cell lines.
(2025)
— Wound healing activity of Sweetgum oil (Liquidambar orientalis L. balsam): characterization of its mechanism of action on HaCaT human keratinocyte cells and possible responsible active constituents.
· BMC complementary medicine and therapies
6.PMID: 40733149 (2025) — Wound Healing Effects of New Cream Formulations with Herbal Ingredients. · Pharmaceutics
7.PMID: 30687092 (2018) — Storax Protected Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation Induced Primary Astrocyte Injury by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation in vitro. · Frontiers in pharmacology
8.PMID: 38621953 (2024) — [Study on changes of Styrax varieties]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
9.PMID: 32909456 (2022) — Liquidambar orientalis Mill. gum extract induces autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in prostate cancer cells. · International journal of environmental health research
10.PMID: 22155886 (2013) — Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of storax in vitro. · Toxicology and industrial health
11.PMID: 22853813 (2012) — Effects of oriental sweet gum storax on porcine wound healing. · Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research
12.PMID: 18605734 (2008) — Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils and components from coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and valerian (Valeriana wallichii) essential oils against pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
13.PMID: 40671194 (2025) — Natural Medicine and 3D Printing for Tissue Repair, Drug Delivery, and Wound Healing: Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Bio-Actives with Advanced Biomaterials. · Macromolecular bioscience
14.PMID: 37699128 (2023) — Evaluation of the Potential Therapeutic Properties of Liquidambar orientalis Oil. · Chemistry & biodiversity
15.PMID: 40133806 (2025) — Comprehensive analysis of volatile compounds in hybrid sweetgum population and other Liquidambar species by HS-SPME-GC-MS. · BMC plant biology
16.PMID: 34291706 (2022) — The Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. var. orientalis via NF-κB and Apoptotic Pathways in Human Colorectal Cancer. · Nutrition and cancer
17.PMID: 39066681 (2025) — Five anti-inflammatory compounds from the resins of Liquidambar orientalis. · Journal of Asian natural products research
18.PMID: 26079853 (2016) — Protective effect and antioxidant role of sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) oil against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. · Pharmaceutical biology
19.PMID: 41387771 (2025) — Assessing climate-driven shifts in Liquidambar orientalis using ensemble species distribution models in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. · BMC plant biology
20.PMID: 34883008 (2023) — Interventions of Unani medicine for maintenance of health with special reference to air quality: an evidence-based review. · Reviews on environmental health
21.PMID: 37473890 (2023) — 3D printed Styrax Liquidus (Liquidambar orientalis Miller)-loaded poly (L-lactic acid)/chitosan based wound dressing material: Fabrication, characterization, and biocompatibility results. · International journal of biological macromolecules
22.PMID: 38181063 (2024) — Effects of grafting on chemical constituents, toxicological properties, antithrombotic activity, and myocardial infarction protection of styrax secreted from the trunk of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. · PloS one
23.PMID: 37621078 (2023) — Protective effect and mechanism of styrax on ischemic stroke rats: metabonomic insights by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis. · Pharmaceutical biology
24.PMID: 9812682 (1996) — [Analysis of cinnamic acid in storax and its original plant by HPLC]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
25.PMID: 28380243 (2017) — Biosorption of 2,4 dichlorophenol Onto Turkish Sweetgum Bark in a Batch System: Equilibrium and Kinetic Study. · Acta chimica Slovenica
26.PMID: 37897405 (2023) — Styrax (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.) promotes mitochondrial function and reduces cardiac damage following myocardial ischemic injury: the role of the AMPK-PGC1α signaling pathway. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
27.PMID: 37909188 (2023) — Investigation of Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Styrax Liquidus Obtained From Liquidambar orientalis Miller (Hamamelidaceae) on HEp-2 Cancer Cell with Caspase Pathway. · The Eurasian journal of medicine
28.PMID: 23588094 (2013) — Characterization of volatiles and anti-ulcerogenic effect of Turkish sweetgum balsam (Styrax liquidus). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
29.PMID: 27737816 (2016) — Safety evaluation of styrax liquidus from the viewpoint of genotoxicity and mutagenicity. · Journal of ethnopharmacology