BALSAM, besam (Lat. balsamum, Gk. pa aapar, balsa»ton. resin of the balsam tree, the tree itself). A name formerly comprehending many resinous substances and oils, to which important medicinal virtues were ascribed, as I•ell as of medicines compounded of resins and oils. When the term balsam is now used without addition, the balsams of Peru and Toll' are generally in tended. These two balsams are very similar in all their more important properties, and are both produced by trees of the genus Myroxylon, of the natural order Leguminosle, natives of the tropical parts of America. Myroxylon peruifcrum, which is called the Quinquino, a beautiful tree, common from Peru to Mexico, is generally regarded as the species which produces the balsam of Peru; and .1.tyroxylon toluiferum, a very similar species, found in the forests of Tolu, the banks of the Magdalena, etc., as that which produces the bal sam of Toln; but it is doubtful if the difference is not at least as much owing to the modes of procuring and preserving the balsam; and other species of the same genus (Jlyroxylon Pcreirte and Ilyroryton pubeseens) are supposed also to yield it. Balsam of Peru appears in two forms, white and black. Some claim the white is from the pods, the black from the tree-trunk; others say the differences are due to methods of prepa ration. The actual evidence is insufficient to determine these points with certainty, and it is not improbable that different methods may be employed. Both balsams have a very fragrant odor. They are used in confectionery to impart a flavor like that of vanilla; also in perfumery, and for pastilles, etc. In medicine, they are administered as gentle stimulants and tonics, and particularly in chronic bronchial affections. Tolu lozenges are a popular and pleasant remedy for troublesome coughs. These balsams are also used for cleansing ulcers. They contain cinnamic acid, a peculiar oily substance which has been called cinnamein, also known as Oil of Balsam of Peru, resins, benzoic, acids. tolene, etc. The name
white Balsam of Peru is sometimes given to a balsamic substance which flows from the Liquid ambar styraciflua. See LIQUIDADIRAR.
The name Balm of Gilead is generally applied to a liquid resinous substance, which has long en joyed a very high reputation in the East, being prized not only for its fragrance, but also for the medicinal virtues which it is supposed to possess. It is the subject of several allusions in the Old Testament, which strongly indicate the prevalent opinion of its preciousness; and is celebrated by Strabo, Pliny, Diodo•us Siculus, and other an cient writers as a cure for almost every disease. It is generally believed to be produeed by a species of Commipho•a—a small tree growing in Arabia and Abyssinia, and known as Commiphora opobolsamunt. The finest balsam, called Opobal sam, or Balm of Mecca, is obtained by incisions; at first turbid and white, it finally becomes of a golden yellow color, and of a consistence like honey. Inferior kinds are obtained by boiling the fruit and the wood. Balm of Gilead is irritating when applied to the skin, and is be lieved to resemble Balsam of Copaiva in its effects upon the human system.
Other substances, sometimes designated bal sams, and possessing a somewhat similar fra grance, are produced by different species of Burserace(e. Among them is one called South American balm of Gilead, the product of a tree called Protium corona. Balsamic substances are furnished also by a number of species of Clusi aceT—Balsam of Umiri, a fragrant yellow fluid, by Hun•irium, floribundum, a South American tree. Canada Balsam is a kind of turpentine obtained from the Balm-of-Gilead Fir (Abies balsamea) ; Hungarian Balsam, from the Mugho or Mountain Pine (Mims pumilio or ; and Carpathian Balsam, from the Stone Pine (Pinus »ince). (See FIR and PINE. ) Balsam of Copaiva is the produce of different species of eopaifcra. (See C0PAIDA.) A variety of Populus balsamifera is known in the United States as the Bahn-of-Gilead tree.