Balm of Gilead

Balm of Gilead
(Cedronella canariensis)

Jeremiah 46:11 Go up to Gilead and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt; In vain you will use many medicines; You shall not be cured.

Words & Music: African-American spiritual.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

Although this herb originates from the Canary Islands, as indicated by its species name, balm of Gilead is now established in may temperate regions of the world. Many plants have been called balm of Gilead, the common link is that they all have a musky, eucalyptus or camphorlike scent. balm of Gilead[gil´Eud] Pronunciation Key, name for several plants belonging to different taxonomic families. 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.

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.

Buds boiled to separate resin, then dissolved in alcohol, once used as preservative in ointments. Folk remedy (balm) used for sores; tincture for toothaches, rheumatism, diarrhea, wounds; tea used as a wash for inflammation, frostbite, sprains, and muscle strain. Internally, tea is used for cough, lung ailments, expectorant. Inner bark tea is used for scurvy, also as an eye wash, blood tonic. Root tea is used as a wash for headaches. Probably contains salicin, explaining its aspirin-like qualities.

Buds can also be made into an inhalant to relieve congestion in the respiratory passages. Their salicin content make them useful for the minor pains and aches that aspirin generally relieves.

The historic Old World balm of Gilead, or Mecca balsam, is a small evergreen tree (Commiphora gileadensis, also once called C. opobalsamum) of the family Burseraceae (incense-tree family) native to Africa and Asia and the source of the commercial balm of Gilead; it is referred to in the Bible in Jer. 8.22. The Ishmaelites from Gilead were bearing balm when they bought Joseph from his brothers.

History---Balm, Baulm or Bawm, contracted from Balsam, may be derived from the Hebrew bot smin, 'chief of oils,' or bâsâm, 'balm,' and besem, 'a sweet smell.' Opobalsamum is used by Dioscorides to mean 'the juice flowing from the balsam-tree.'

Pliny states that the tree was first brought to Rome by the generals of Vespasian, while Josephus relates that it was taken from Arabia to Judea by the Queen of Sheba as a present to Solomon. There, being cultivated for its juice, particularly on Mount Gilead, it acquired its popular name. Later, it was called Opobalsamum, its dried twigs Xylobalsamum, and its dried fruit Carpobalsamum.

Its rarity, combined with the magic of its name, have caused the latter to be adopted for several other species.

Abd-Allatif, a Damascan physician of the twelfth century, noted that it had two barks the outer reddish and thin, the inner green and thick, and a very aromatic odour.

The juice exudes spontaneously during the heat of summer, in resinous drops, the process being helped by incisions in the bark. The more humid the air, the greater the quantity collected. When the oil is separated, it is prepared with great secrecy, and taken to the stores of the ruler, where it is carefully guarded. The quantity of oil obtained is roughly one-tenth the amount of juice. It is probable that an inferior kind of oil is obtained after boiling the leaves and wood with water.

The wood is found in small pieces, several kinds being known commercially, but it rapidly loses its odour.

The fruit is reddish grey, and the size of a small pea, with an agreeable and aromatic taste.

In Europe and America it is so seldom found in a pure state that its use is entirely discontinued .

Balm of Gilead is still in high repute for healing in some countries. The American balm of Gilead is a species of poplar (Populus candicans) of the family Salicaceae (willow family) which has large balsamic and fragrant buds. The tree is seldom seen in the wild but was formerly a favorite dooryard tree of the northern states. The buds were used in domestic medicine. This poplar is closely related to, and sometimes considered a variety of, the balsam poplar (P. tacamahaca), which has also been called balm of Gilead and tacamahac. The name balm of Gilead has also been used for the balsam fir and for a herbaceous aromatic, shrubby plant (Dracocephalum canariense or Cedronella canariensis) of the family Labiatae (mint family) native to the Canary Islands and cultivated in parts of the United States.

Many names refer to this ancient herb, rich in history and in lore. Such as Balsam Poplar Buds, Canary Balm., Tacamahac Poplar, True Balm of Gilead and Willow Poplar Buds. The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon the aromatic desert shrub balm of Gilead (Commiphora apobalsamum), found in the Holy Land. Today this rare variety is protected and its export prohibited.

The balm of Gilead mentioned in the Bible ("Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?") is believed to be an oleo-resin obtained from Balsamodendron, a plant now thought to be extinct.

Cedronella canariensis is a half hardy perennial with a height of 3 feet and a spread of 2 feet. The 3 lobed and toothed leaves are borne on square stems. The leaves have a strong eucalyptus scent. Pink or pale mauve flowers bloom throughout the summer. The seed heads are dark black.

Propagation by cuttings is more reliable than seeds. They take readily either in early summer before flowering in new growth or in early fall on the semi-ripe wood. Use the bark, peat mix of potting soil. Being so aromatic, pests are not usually a problem.

Balm of Gilead grows quite well outside in a sheltered position. Plant in full sun, preferably against a warm, wind-protecting wall. It is a tender plant which may need protection in colder climates. If you get frosts lower that 29 degrees F, protect the plant in the winter months by either bringing it in a cool greenhouse or by covering it with landscaping cloth. Keep watering to an absolute minimum during the winter months.

This herb makes a exquisite container plant. A 9-10 inch pot will be required for a plant to reach maturity. Use a free-draining soil and liquid feed a mature plant monthly throughout the summer. The scent of the leaves perfumes the air when the plant is watered or the sun is shining on it.

With the exception of modern research regarding the healing benefits of Ginko Biloba, many of us overlook the fact that trees also contain a number of healing properties. The Cherokee Indians of western North Carolina, for example discovered a tooth cleaning product within the prolific growth of Dogwoods in the area. Similar to what we now use to floss our teeth, tiny twigs were used with a cleaning benefit to the teeth and gums. Many trees, roots, leaves and flowers contain medicinal properties.

Balm of Gilead has been reputed to treat a number of disorders such as acute and chronic affections of the upper respiratory tract, cough, cuts, dental caries, minor aches and pains, (topical ointment), pimples, respiratory disorders, snakebite, sore throat and sores.

Pick the leaves for drying before the flowers open, when they will be at their most aromatic. Crush the leaves in your hand and inhale the wonderful aroma to clear your head. Rub the leaves on your skin to help repel mosquitoes. Collect the dry, black seed heads for lovely winter arrangements.
References

Sievers, A.F. 1930. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA, Washington DC.
Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pgs., 206-207.
The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 319, 579.
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 22, 225, 277.
The Herbalist Almanac, by Clarence Meyer, pgs., 84, 203.
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke, pg., 292.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 203, 414.
American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 283.
Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, pg., 106.
The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pg., 539.