Opopanax

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈpɒpənaks/

Definitions

1. A resin extracted from certain plants, valued for its use in incense and its applications in herbal medicine
2. A fragrant resin derived from specific foliage, recognized for its aromatic qualities and therapeutic uses
3. A type of aromatic resin obtained from particular plants, appreciated for its use in incense, as well as its benefits in traditional herbal remedies

Etymology: Ancient Greek writers had a name for this sap that sounds like a recipe for a mouthful: "opopanax," built from "opos," meaning vegetable juice, and "panax," the name for a group of plants believed to have healing properties. The first half refers to the milky juice that oozes from the plant when it is cut, and the second to the medicinal reputation the plant enjoyed. Together they describe a plant sap prized for its curative power. The word passed from Greek into Latin, and from there into English, where it has kept its original sense of a resin tapped from the stems and roots of certain umbellifers. Its pleasant, woody smell made it a favourite in incense and perfumes, while herbalists continued to value it for the same medicinal qualities the Greeks had praised.