Populus balsamifera - Balsam Poplar

Balm of Gilead

Balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally, that was mentioned in the Bible, and named for the region of Gilead where it was produced. The expression stems from William Tyndale's language in the King James Bible of 1611, and has come to signify a universal cure in figurative speech. The tree or shrub producing the balm is commonly identified as Commiphora gileadensis. Some botanical scholars have concluded that the actual source was a Terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.

Although the term balm of Gilead traditionally refers to a perfume, it has also been widely used throughout history for a number of health conditions, as it has rather powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and diuretic properties, amongst others. It is derived from a species of Arabian shrub bearing the scientific name Commiphora gileadensis. The plant bleeds or leaks the Balm of Gilead, where it can be collected, processed, and applied for a number of purposes. As it is an Arabian shrub that also may have been present in parts of Egypt, its use dates back thousands of years. As one of the oldest and most respected herbal remedies, it remains an important remedy for many herbalists across the world.

Uses

Fever, Emaciation, Debility, Impaired digestion, Diarrhea, Urinary infections

Parts Used

Bark.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada
Hindi
Malayalam
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit
English	Balsam Poplar, Balm of Gilead

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Guna

Veerya

Vipaka

Karma

Prabhava

Habit

Tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	alternate	Leaves are ovate or broadly lanceolate, 2.25 to 4.5 inches long (6-11 cm) and 1.5 to 3 inches wide (4-7.5 cm). Leaves are shiny green above and pale green below with finely toothed margins

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	Pistillate and staminate catkins		Winter buds are 1 inch long (2.5 cm) with sticky resin and a pungent balsam odor in the spring. Drooping pistillate and staminate catkins occur on separate trees.

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
Capsules		Ripe capsules split into 2 parts. Tiny seeds have a tuft of soft, white hairs at the tip and are often dispersed in large, fluffy masses.	Fruiting occurs in late May to early or mid-July and when rivers are most often in the flood stage.		{{{6}}}

Other features

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 20 - 40cm long, November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed or direct into their permanent positions. Very easy.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Temperate area.

Photo Gallery

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  Seeds

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External Links

• Populus balsamifera on Natural medicinal herbs.net
• Populus balsamifera on Usda.gov