Origins: Swampy woods, alluvial areas, and moist soils.

Uses: This tree is an important source of the drug styrax, a stimulating expectorant, weak antiseptic, deshapener for tobacco and for treatin scabies. Water- or brandy-soaked twigs are chewed to clean the teeth in some areas of Appalachia.

A guide to medicinal plants of  Appalachia/ Krochmal, Arnold; Walter, Russel S.; Doughty, Richard M.: USA: U.S.D.A Forest Service:,1959