Also called gum benjamin, gum benzoin. a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, esp. S. benzoin, of Java, Sumatra, etc.

used in the manufacture of perfume and cosmetics and in medicine internally as an expectorant and externally as an antiseptic.

Also called benjamin , benjamin-bush. any plant belonging to the genus Lindera ( Benzoin ), of the laurel family, including the spicebush and similar aromatic plants.