A dark, pleasant smelling oleoresin obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, including S. benzoin and S. officinalis, growing in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Benzoin resin was used by the 16th century as a spirit varnish for paintings. It is also used as a plasticizer for varnishes and lacquers, a perfume, an antiseptic, and a deodorizer. Benzoin resin is not the same as the chemical called "benzoin," which is a powder obtained from benzaldehyde. For a brown, sticky, aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Liquidambar, use "storax."
