Balsam of Mec′ca

Syn. Balm of Gil′ead , B. of Mec′ca , Opobal′sam (-bawl′-), Jews’ balsam† , Oil of b.† , ., Eng.; Bal′samum (băl′-) Gileaden′se , B. è Mec′ca , Opobal′samum (-băl′-) ., L.; Baume de la Mecque , B. de Mecca *, B. de Judée , Opobalsamum , ., Fr. Bal′samum Ægypti′acum† , B. Alpi′ni† , B. Antiquo′′rum Genui′num† , B. Asiat′icum† , B. Syri′acum† , O′leum Bal′sam i† , ., L. A fragrant oleo-resinous substance, obtained from balsamoden′dron gileaden′se (Kunth.; amy′ris gileaden′sis , Linn.; a. opobal′samum , Forsk), a middle-sized tree of the nat. ord. Terebinthacæ (DC.), growing in Arabia Felix, Asia Minor, and Egypt. It is the BALM of the Old Testament, and the βἁλσαμον of Theophrastus and Dioscorides. It is chemically cla ed with the turpentines. Prop., . When fresh it is turbid and whitish, but becomes by degrees transparent, of a rich golden colour, and slightly thicker; and by exposure, eventually solid. It po e es a penetrating and delicate fragrance; tastes sharp, bitter, spicy, and somewhat astringent; is not entirely soluble in rectified spirit, but di olves more or le completely in both the fixed and volatile oils, which then a ume the fragrance of the balsam. A drop let fall on hot water spreads itself over the whole surface, like a film of oil, and again contracts on the water cooling. This, with its fragrance, is the common test of its genuinene in Turkey. The inferior qualities, or those of commerce, are generally opaque and thick, rapidly resinifying and turning of a dull yellow by age. When applied to the skin it causes redne and swelling. It was formerly regarded as po e ing the most varied and exalted virtues, particularly as an antiseptic, stimulant, vulnerary, and nervine; and its fumes were supposed to prevent barrenne . It is still highly prized in the East as a cosmetic and perfume; and is said to be unequalled for giving a healthy glow to the complexion and promoting the growth of the hair. Its medicinal qualities are intermediate to those of the aromatic turpentines and balsam of tolu.— Dose. From 3 to 6, or even 10 or 12 drops. Obs. According to Bruce, and others, the best balm of Gilead is a spontaneous exudation from the tree; a second quality is obtained by cutting the bark with an axe, and receiving the juice which exudes in a small earthen bottle. A large branch is said to produce not more than 3 or 4 drops a day; and even the most resinous trees seldom yield more than 60 drops daily. Hence its scarcity and costline . Both varieties are held in such high estimation by the Turks and Egyptians, that none of them are exported as an article of commerce. That which is sent to England is obtained by boiling the leaves and young twigs of the balsam tree in water, and is rejected by the Orientals as worthle . Most of that sold in the shops of England is entirely spurious (see below ). The cosmetics recently so much advertised as ‘ balm of Mecca ’ do not contain even a trace of this article; nor do we believe that there is a single drop of the genuine balm to be purchased in London. The following formulæ are current in the trade for Fac′′titious Balm of Mecca :— 1. Gum-benzoin (bright, coarsely powdered), 4 oz. ; liquid styrax (finest), 3 oz. ; balsam of tolu, 2 oz. ; Canadian balsam, 1 1 ⁄ 2 pint; are mixed together in a flask, and exposed (closed) to the heat of a water bath, with frequent agitation, until the liquid is saturated; when cold, the clear portion is decanted, and a sufficient quantity of the oils of lemon, ca ia, rosemary, nutmeg, and vanilla, added to give it a strong aromatic odour. 2. From gum-benzoin and balsam of Peru, of each 1 oz. ; vanilla and nutmeg, of each (cut small) 1 dr. ; Canadian balsam, 1 ⁄ 2 pint; digested as before, and some e ential oils added to the decanted liquid.