BALSAM, a name formerly comprehensive of many resinous substances and oils, to which important medicinal virtues were ascribed, as well as of medicines compounded of resins and oils. When the term B. is now used without addition, the balsams of Peru and Tolu are generally intended.—These two balsams are very similar in all their more Important properties, and are both produced by trees of the genus (or rnyearyton), of the natural order leguminows, suborder papilionacesr, natives of the tropi cal parts of America. X. Peruiferum, which is called the quinquino, a beautiful tree, common from Peru to Mexico, is generally regarded as the species which produces the B. of Peru; and .1f. Toluiferum, a very similar species, found on the mountains of Tolu, the banks of the Magdalena, etc., as that which produces then of Tolu; but it is doubt ful if the difference is not at least as much owing to the modes of procuring and pre serving the II.; and other species of the same genus (Af. punetatum and Jr. pubeseens) are supposed also to yield it. B. of Peru appears in two forms, known as white B. ef Peru and black B. of Peru; the former of which has been said to be obtained from the pods, and the latter from incisions in the trunk of the tree; but it has also been stated that the white 13. flows from the trunk, and that the black B. is obtained by distilling down the
wood after the manner of tar-burning, or by boiling with water. The actual evidence is insutllcieut to determine these points with certainty, and it is not improbable that dif ferent methods may be employed. White B. of Peru is at first of the consistence of recent honey, and of alight yellow color; the black 13. is of a reddish or blackish brown color, and of the consistence of treacle. 13. of Tolu, until recently, appeared in com merce dry and friable, but is now generally soft and tenacious when first imported, becoming hard by age. Both balsams have a very fragrant odor. They are used in confectionery, to impart a flavor like that of vanille; also in perfumery, and for pastilles, etc. In medicine, they are administered as gentle stimulants and tonics, and particularly in chronic bronchial affections. Torn lozenges are a popular and pleasant remedy for troublesome coughs. These balsams are also used for cleansing ulcers.—They contain cinnamic acid, and a peculiar oily substance which has been called einnameine, and is also known as oil of B. of Peru. The name while B. of Peru is sometimes given to a balsamic substance which flows from the liquidambar styraetjtua. See LIQUIDAMBAIL