Balm of Gilead

Western Bulk Herbs – Balm of Gilead

Balm of Gilead is the sticky, resin of poplar buds. These contain Salicin, which your body converts to aspirin. It’s good for external hemorrhoids, and injuries to the skin. It has been used to treat frostbite and sunburns.

Latin Name:
Populus balsamifera

Common Names:
Balm of Gilead, Quaking aspen, White poplar, Poplar buds, Balsam Poplar, Mecca balsam

Parts Used:
Resinous leaf buds and the bark.

Properties:
Balm of Gilead is recognized as an expectorant, stimulant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-microbial, and vulnerary.

Traditional Uses:
Balm of Gilead has traditionally been used for urinary tract disorders, coughs, or relief of fevers and arthritic aches and pains.

Internal Applications:
The buds can be used in combination with other herbs to create an effective cough syrup.

Topical Uses / Applications:
Not to be applied to broken or abraded skin. The buds may be used in salves and ointments for muscular aches and pains.

Culinary Uses:
Balm of Gilead should only be used as a medical herb and does not work well as a tisane/tea, or culinary herb.

Chemical Properties:
Essential oil, phenolic glycosides, salicin, cineole, acurcumene, resins, phenolic and gallic acids, tannins, and other compounds.

Cautions:
GRAS – Generally Recognized As Safe. Possible allergic hypersensitivity to salicylates and propolis.

Folk Lore:

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.