Benzoin is from the tree Styrax found in Southeastern Asia, China and Indonesia. It is used in candles, perfumes, candle scents and incense because of it's vanilla-like scent. Benzoic acid which is derived from it is used in medicines. The resin is used in Russian churches, and Eastern Orothdox Chrisitian churches, Latin Catholic churches, and used for spiritual purposes in the Arabian Peninsula and Hindu temples of India where it is burned on charcoal as an incense.