Balsam of Peru

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/balsam-of-peru

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae
2. What is the geographic origin?Central and South America
3. Where does Balsam of Peru grow?The tree grows in Central and South America, in places like tropical rainforests and drier woodlands.
4. How do people get Balsam of Peru?People carefully cut the bark, let the resin flow out, and then gather it.

Oleoresin: A natural mixture of essential oil and resin, typically obtained from plants.
Neotropical: Relating to or denoting the tropical regions of the Americas.
Allergen: A substance that causes an allergic reaction, typically by interacting with the immune system.
Patch Test: A method used to diagnose allergies by applying small amounts of suspected allergens to the skin.