Tolu balsam, also known as balsam of Tolu, is a fragrant resin obtained from the tree *Myroxylon balsamum*, which is native to Central and South America, particularly Colombia. The resin is collected by making incisions in the bark of the tree, allowing the sap to ooze out and harden into a sticky substance.
Tincture of benzoin is a topical medication made from the resin of the benzoin tree (genus Styrax). It is a brownish liquid that is primarily used for its soothing and antiseptic properties. The tincture is commonly used in medical and pharmaceutical applications as a skin protectant and to promote healing in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Tacamahac is a term that historically refers to a resin obtained from certain tropical trees, particularly species in the genus *Shorea*, which are found in regions like Southeast Asia. The resin has been used for various purposes, including traditional medicine, incense, and as a component in perfumes. In a broader context, the name "Tacamahac" has been used to refer to substances derived from the resin of trees that belong to the family Dipterocarpaceae.
Storax balsam, also known simply as storax, is a fragrant resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the Liquidambar genus, particularly Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as the sweetgum tree. Storax has been used for centuries for various purposes, including perfumery, incense, and traditional medicine. The resin has a warm, sweet, and balsamic scent, making it popular in the production of fragrances and scented products.
Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the female lac bug, primarily found in Southeast Asia. It is harvested from the trees where these insects live, and then processed to create the substance that has various uses across different industries. There are a few key points about shellac: 1. **Composition**: Shellac is composed of a mixture of different compounds, primarily resinous and waxy materials. It is often dissolved in alcohol to create a liquid form that can be easily applied.
Sandarac is a natural resin derived from the wood of the Callitris tree, specifically species within the genus Callitris, which is commonly known as cypress. Sandarac has a long history of use, particularly in the context of art and craft. It is prized for its properties as a natural adhesive and as a component in varnishes, particularly for painting and finishing wooden surfaces.
Sagapenum is a plant-based substance obtained from the resin of certain species of the Ferula genus, particularly Ferula gummosa. It has traditionally been used in herbal medicine and as a flavoring agent. Sagapenum is known for its strong, aromatic properties and has been utilized in various culinary dishes, as well as in traditional remedies, particularly in Middle Eastern and Indian cultures.
Rosin is a natural resin obtained from pine trees and other coniferous plants. It is a solid or semi-solid substance that is typically amber or yellow in color and has a sticky texture. Rosin is composed mainly of various resin acids, which can include abietic acid and others.
Retinite, also known as retinitis, generally refers to inflammation of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. This condition can lead to vision problems and is often associated with various underlying causes, including infections, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to toxic agents. There are different types of retinitis, such as: 1. **Acute Retinitis** - Rapid onset inflammation, often due to infections.
Resinoids are concentrated aromatic substances derived from the resinous exudates of certain plants and trees. In perfumery, resinoids are valued for their rich, complex scents and are often used to create depth and warmth in fragrances. They are obtained through solvent extraction processes that separate the aromatic compounds from the resin, resulting in a thick, viscous substance that retains the character and nuances of the original resin.
Resin soap refers to soap that incorporates natural resins, which are aromatic organic substances that are typically exuded by trees. These resins can be used for their fragrance, skincare benefits, or as a natural preservative. In the context of soap making, resin soap may incorporate various types of resins, such as: 1. **Frankincense** – Often used for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
A resin canal is a structural feature found in some plants, particularly conifers, that allows for the storage and transportation of resin. Resin is a sticky, viscous substance produced by certain trees, primarily for defensive purposes, as it can deter herbivores and protect against pathogens. The resin canal itself is often a tube-like structure that runs through the plant's tissues, specifically within the xylem or phloem.
Resin acid refers to a group of naturally occurring organic compounds, primarily obtained from the distillation of certain plant resins, particularly those derived from coniferous trees like pine. The most common type of resin acid is abietic acid, which is a major component of the rosin obtained from pine trees. Resin acids are characterized by their chemical structure, which typically includes a bicyclic structure with carboxylic acid groups.
Resin is a sticky, flammable organic substance that is typically secreted by plants, especially trees. It is composed mainly of terpenes and other organic compounds. Resins are used by plants as a defense mechanism against injury and pathogens, as they can seal wounds and deter herbivores. In addition to its natural occurrence, resin has many industrial applications.
Pistacia lentiscus, commonly known as mastic, is a dioecious evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly found in places like Greece, Italy, and parts of North Africa. The plant is known for its aromatic resin, called mastic, which is harvested from the tree's bark. This resin has been used for centuries in culinary applications, traditional medicine, and cosmetics.
Opopanax is a resin derived from the bark of certain species of trees, particularly the genus Commiphora, which is part of the myrrh family. In perfumery, opopanax is valued for its warm, sweet, and balsamic scent, often described as having honeyed and slightly woody notes. It is used as a fixative in fragrances, helping to stabilize and prolong the scent of other notes in a perfume composition.
Oleoresin is a natural extract obtained from plants that contains both essential oil and resin components. It is created through processes such as solvent extraction or steam distillation. Oleoresins are concentrated extracts that capture the flavor, aroma, and sometimes color of the original plant material, making them popular in various applications, particularly in the food, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries.
Naval stores refer to a variety of products that are derived from pine trees, primarily used in shipbuilding and maintenance. The term traditionally encompasses substances like: 1. **Rosin**: A solid form of resin obtained from pine trees, used in varnishes, inks, and soaps. It also has applications in music (for bowing string instruments) and in various industrial processes.
Myrrh is a natural resin obtained from the Commiphora species of trees, which are native to regions in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Historically, myrrh has been valued for its aromatic properties and has been used for various purposes such as incense, perfumes, and traditional medicine. In ancient times, myrrh was one of the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi, symbolizing its significance and value.
Myroxylon is a genus of tropical trees belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae. The most well-known species within this genus is Myroxylon balsamum, commonly referred to as balsam of Peru or Peru balsam. It is native to Central and South America, particularly found in countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The tree is notable for its fragrant resin, which has various applications in perfumery, cosmetics, and traditional medicine.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 5. . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact