Balm of Gilead

For literary mentions of "balm in Gilead" or "balm of Gilead", see Balsam of Mecca. For other uses, see Balm of Gilead (disambiguation).

Balm of Gilead is a balm (healing compound) made from the resinous gum of the balsam poplar (Populus candicans), a North American tree species. It takes its name from the allusive Biblical phrase "balm in Gilead", referring to the balm or balsam carried from Gilead by the caravan of merchants to whom Joseph was sold by his brothers (Genesis chapter 37). In all likelihood, this ancient trade item was what is now known as balsam of Mecca, produced from the tree Commiphora gileadensis (syn. Commiphora opobalsamum), native to southern Arabia.

Balm of Gilead is used in skin care products for the treatment of eczema and dry skin.

Sources

SEPASAL (Database of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (UK) = http://www.kew.org/ceb/sepasal/)

FELTER, HW LLOYD JU. King's American Dispensatory (18th edition). Sandy/Eclectic Medical Publications; 1898 [1983]