Storax is categorized as which type?

• A. Resin
• B. Oleoresin
• C. Oleogum resin
• D. Balsam

Answer: (D)

When classifying plant exudates, a resin that also contains volatile oils and aromatic constituents is called a balsam. Storax is produced as a fragrant, resinous exudate from certain trees and readily yields an essential oil; this combination of resin plus volatile oil and aromatic compounds defines it as a balsam. It isn’t just a plain resin, which lacks the volatile oil, nor is it best described as an oleoresin, which is a resin with essential oil but without the distinctive balsamic character; it also isn’t mainly gum-containing, so it isn’t an oleogum resin. The fragrant, oil-bearing nature aligns storax with balsams.