BENZOIN
Renowned since Antiquity for its antiseptic properties...
The history of Papier d'Arménie® begins in the 19th century. During a trip to Armenia, Auguste
Benzoin is a vanilla-scented balm used in perfumery and medicine.
Renowned since ancient times for its antiseptic, healing, and expectorant properties, benzoin balm was once used externally to treat asthma, coughs, and hoarseness. Its beneficial effects on the psyche and emotional management make it a favorite with stressed individuals. In Malaysia, it is used during ceremonies to ward off devils during the rice harvest. Indians, for their part, dedicate this sacred fragrance to the god Shiva.
THE ORIGIN OF BENZOIN
Laos Benzoin is the resin from styrax.
The benzoin used in our products comes from Laos.
HARVESTING BENZOIN RESIN
When the tree reaches a diameter of about 15 cm, notches are made in its bark so that the resin can flow out. Six months later, it can be harvested in the form of "tears," which is raw benzoin. A tree produces 1 to 3 kilos of benzoin per year.
BENZOIN PAPIER D’ARMENIE®
Styrax officinalis, the best benzoin resin, is then delivered in the form of “tears” to the workshop.
ITS USE AT PAPIER D'ARMENIE ®
Following an immutable ritual, the resin is dissolved in alcohol for several weeks. Then the perfume extracts are added. The resulting mixture impregnates a special blotting paper, an entirely manual operation, carried out sheet by sheet. This entirely natural process is managed by a single person, specially assigned to this delicate task. This same person will then drain the paper with a slow and precise gesture. The paper will then be pressed, then carefully inspected to see if the sheet meets standards. If there is the slightest doubt, the entire sheet is discarded. The sheets will then be placed to dry in an oven to finalize the drying process and to ensure optimal olfactory quality. Finally, the sheets are perforated, cut, and assembled to give birth to our famous little notebooks.