Description and Uses: Balsam Poplar essential oil / Balm of Gilead essential oil is used for bruises, sprains/strains, sore muscles and injuries to the skin. Balsam Poplar essential oil is also antispasmodic and has an analgesic effect,and reduces tension. One of Balsam Poplar essential oil's most noted effects is for reducing scaring and for wound healing. For use in treating injuries and for treating rheumatism and arthritis, blend Balsam Poplar essential oil with German Chamomile and Helichrysum essential oils.

One of the common names for Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) is Balm of Gilead. So how did a north american tree get named for an ointment that was found in the middle east? It seems that when Europeans first came to North America, the native peoples shared a balm with them as a treatment all types of aches and pains and other discomforts. The English settlers named these healing buds 'The Balm of Gilead' after the 'Healing Balm of Gilead' that is mentioned in the Bible because the balm made from the buds of the Balsam Poplar had so many healing properties.

More Info: The name 'Balm of Gilead', Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera which is the same as Populus candicans and Populus tacamahaca) is also ascribed to other similar trees including the Black Poplar tree. The balm of Gilead mentioned in the Bible is believed to be an oleo-resin obtained from Balsamodendron, a plant now thought to be extinct. Many plants have been called balm of Gilead but there is only one in North America: the Balsam Poplar.

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.

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

The Balm of Gilead herbal salve is made from hand picked buds and stems of the Balsam Poplar tree. To create the healing salve, the Balsam Poplar essential oil or an infusion of the buds can be mixed with a combination of bees wax and base oil. Balm of Gilead is traditionally used as a soothing relief balm for comforting minor aches and pains of arthritis, tendonitis, over exertion and many other painful conditions and can also be used as a chest rub for colds and flu.

Safety Considerations:

• Do not take essential oils internally.
• Do not apply to eyes, sensitive areas or mucous membranes.
• Do not apply undiluted to skin (for directions on proper dilution refer to an aromatherapy text).
• The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or prescribe.
• Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use essential oils without first consulting an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner.
• The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.

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