Function :

Benzyl alcohol is mainly present in the form of free or ester in essential oils, such as jasmine oil, Ilam oil, jasmine oil, hyacinth oil, moon balm, Milu balm and Tolu balm contain this ingredient.

 

Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative of ointment, a desiccant of fiber, nylon silk and plastic film, a stabilizer of polyvinyl chloride, a photographic development agent, a solvent of acetate fiber, ink, paint, epoxy resin coatings, dyes, casein, shellac and gelatin, and an intermediate of benzyl ester or ether. It is also used into make fragrances and flavorings (mostly benzyl esters of fatty acids) as additives in soaps, perfumes, cosmetics and other products. Since it has almost the same refractive index as quartz and wool fibers, it is used as a discriminator for quartz and wool fibers. Used as a fixing agent and diluent in the fragrance industry

When injecting penicillin, in order to prevent patients from feeling too much pain, benzyl alcohol is often used for anesthesia, so that the pain will not be too strong, so benzyl alcohol is also known as "painless water". However, a common clinical side effect was soon discovered: Contracture of gluteus muscle. This is because benzyl alcohol is not easy to be absorbed by the body, long-term accumulation in the injection site, will lead to the necrosis of the surrounding muscles, and in severe cases, even affect bone development. In 2005, the State Food and Drug Administration issued a document prohibiting the use of benzyl alcohol as a solvent for penicillin injection.