Balm of Gilead
Parts Usually Used
Leaf buds, root, bark
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
: Grows 30-100 feet. Large deciduous tree with winter buds that are large resinous and aromatic; yellowish, gummy, strongly fragrant, end buds more than 1/2 inch long. Young twigs are sparsely hairy. The alternate, broadly ovate to deltoid leaves are dark green on top and whitish underneath, sometimes hairy on the lower veins; leafstalks mostly rounded (rather than flat). The male and female flowers occur on separate, scaly catkins.
There are several trees and shrubs that have been called “Balm of Gilead”: Quaking aspen (P. tremuloides), the black poplar (P. nigra); P. fremontii; has a slightly bitter mucilage bark similar to slippery elm bark. Commiphora opobalsamum L. is a small evergreen tree of the bursera family native to Asia and Africa. Populus candicans L. The common names are similar to P. balsamifera: balsam poplar, American balm of Gilead, balm of Gilead buds, Mecca balsam.
This balm of Gilead has a wonderful fragrance. When boiled in olive oil, cocoa fat, or some other good oil, they make an excellent salve. Similar medicinal results with P. candicans as with P. balsamifera.
Where Found
Moist soils. Found on streambanks and planted along roadsides in the eastern United States, over much of Canada, and into Alaska.
Medicinal Properties
Balsamic, expectorant, stimulant.
Legends, Myths and Stories
The balm of Gilead mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 37:25 and Jeremiah 8:22) is a different plant, Comminphora meccanensis. For wrinkles: Take barley water, strain, add a few drops of oil of balm of Gilead. Place in a bottle and let stand for 10-12 hours, shaking the bottle occasionally until the balsam is entirely mixed with the water. This mixture improves the complexion and preserves the appearance of youth.
If used only once a day, it removes wrinkles and gives the skin a surprising luster. Wash the face before using this fluid.
Uses
Historically, herbalists boiled the buds to extract resin, which was subsequently dissolved in alcohol and utilized as a preservative in ointments. In folk traditions, the buds were formulated into balms intended for sores, while tinctures were administered for toothaches, rheumatism, diarrhea, and wounds. Traditional practitioners also prepared teas from the buds to serve as washes for inflammation, frostbite, sprains, and muscle strains, or inhaled the vapors to address respiratory congestion.
Taken internally, bud teas were traditionally used for coughs, respiratory complaints, and as an expectorant, with commentators attributing these pain-relieving applications to the presence of salicin. Additionally, the inner bark was brewed into teas historically employed for scurvy, as an eyewash, and as a general tonic, while root teas were traditionally applied externally as washes for headaches.
Warning
Balm of Gilead is a confusing name. It has been freely applied to trees of the balsam family, trees of the willow family, trees of the poplar family and to at least one shrub found during research on this herb. Care should be taken when a formula or a recipe for treatment is given with an ingredient called “balm of Gilead” in the ingredients. Perhaps they are all similar in the biochemical makeup.
Research further, that is what is recommended here if you have doubts as to which is being referred to in the recipe.
Bibliography
, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973 The Herbalist Almanac , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994 Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A.
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974