Canarium luzonicum

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Industrial and craft applications:
Manila elemi, the oleoresin tapped from Canarium luzonicum, is a semi-liquid, pale amber resin used in spirit varnishes, oil varnishes, lacquers, printing inks, and as a plasticizer/tackifier in adhesives and natural resin systems. The resin is used both as a base and an additive. In lacquers, it improves leveling, gloss, and flexibility of spirit lacquers. In oil-bound systems, it is combined with drying oils to control rheology and gloss and is suitable for fine art varnishes and protective finishes. Historically, it was adopted as a substitute for copal in varnish making.

Colorants and tanning:
Elemi imparts a warm amber color in varnishes and lacquers, and, when combined with mordanted fibers, it can yield brown tones.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
The resin is a source of elemi oil, used in perfumery as a fixative and fresh-spicy note in fragrance compositions.

Properties relevant to use:
Elemi is a soft, low-melting, semi-liquid oleoresin with high solubility in ethanol and moderate solubility in ether. It comprises a mixture of sesquiterpenes (notably elemol), monoterpenes (e.g., phellandrene, limonene), and phenylpropene derivatives (e.g., elemicin). The resin is readily soluble in alcohol-based media and forms stable, film-forming blends with drying oils and film-forming polymers. It is typically non-drying as a resin but imparts tack when incorporated in adhesives. Volatile constituents confer a characteristic odor and aid in solvent release.

Standards and regulation:
Food contact or ingestible uses are not regulated for this oleoresin. Cosmetic and fragrance uses of elemi oil/oleoresin are subject to industry and regulatory guidelines for fragrance materials; relevant bodies include IFRA for fragrance practices and the EU Cosmetic Regulation for ingredients.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial resin is collected from wild or cultivated trees in the Philippines through bark or stem tapping; tapping intervals and species distribution shape the supply. Sustainable resin harvesting focuses on maintaining tree health and avoiding girdling.

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