Balsam

For other uses, see Balsam (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Balsa.

Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs. Balsam (from Latin balsamum "gum of the balsam tree," ultimately from a Semitic source such as Hebrew: בֹּשֶׂם, romanized: bośem, lit. 'spice, perfume') owes its name to the biblical Balm of Gilead.

Chemistry

Balsams often contain benzoic or cinnamic acid or their esters.[1][2]

The Balsam of Matariyya

The Balsam of Matariyya was a substance famous as a panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the Antique and Medieval periods. The substance has long been used as a medicine, with early references to the substance recorded as far back as 285 BC. The Balsam of Matariyya was said to be derived from an Egyptian plant and is sometimes also referred to as the balm of Gilead or the balm of Mecca.[3]

List of balsams

Safety

Some balsams, such as Balsam of Peru, may be associated with allergies. In particular, Euphorbia latex ("wolf's milk") is strongly irritant and is cytotoxic.

See also

References

  1. ^ Andrew Pengelly (2004), "Essential oils and resins", The constituents of medicinal plants (2nd ed.), Allen & Unwin, p. 102
  2. ^ "Balsam" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). 1911.
  3. ^ MILWRIGHT, MARCUS (June 2003). "The balsam of Matariyya: an exploration of a medieval panacea". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 66 (2): 193–209. doi:10.1017/s0041977x03000119. ISSN 0041-977X. S2CID 163105374.
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