Balm of Gilead buds are the leaf buds col-
lected in the spring before they open. Precise
sourceisnotcertain;allabovespeciesaswellas
otherPopulusspecies are probably used.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Contains about 2% volatile oil; resins; C 25 ,
C 27 , and C 29 n-alkanes; salicin and populin;
phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic); chalcones;
and others. Compounds reportedly present in
thevolatile oil included-cadinene, cineole,ar-
curcumene, bisabolene, farnesene,d-a-bisa-
bolol, b-phenethyl alcohol, acetophenone
(KARRER),1–3and humulene (a-caryophyllene)
(CLAUS;FURIA AND BELLANCA;YOUNGKEN).
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Is considered to have stimulant and expecto-
rant properties.
Salicin (a glucoside of salicyl alcohol) has
antipyretic, antirheumatic, analgesic, and oth-
er properties as well as toxicity of salicylates
(GOODMAN AND GILMAN;MARTINDALE).
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Its major use is in cough preparations often
together with white pine and wild cherry
barks, bloodroot, and spikenard root, as in
white pine compound or its variations.
Traditional Medicine. Used for relieving
minor aches and pains; in colds and coughs;
locally for sores, bruises and cuts, and for
healing pimples. Bark and leaves are also
similarly used.
COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS
Crude and extracts. Crude was formerly offi-
cial in N.F. and U.S.P.
Regulatory Status. Has been approved
for food use in alcoholic beverages only
(§172,510). Subject of a German therapeutic
monograph; allowed in external preparations
for superficial skin injuries, hemorrhoids;
frostbite, and sunburn.^4
REFERENCES
See the General References for ARCTANDER;CLAUS;GOSSELIN;KROCHMAL AND KROCHMAL;LUST;
MCGUFFIN1&2;MERCK;POUCHER;ROSE;SARGENT;UPHOF;YOUNGKEN.
- E. Wollenweber and W. Weber, Z.
Pflanzenphysiol., 69 , 125 (1973).
- S. Frantisek et al.,Collect. Czech. Chem.
Commun., 18 , 364 (1953).
3. O. Isaac et al.,Dtsch. Apoth. Ztg., 108 , 293
(1968).
4. Monograph Populi gemma. Bundesan-
zeiger, no. 22 (February 1, 1990).
BALSAM CANADA
Source:Abies balsamea(L.) Mill. (Family
Pinaceae).
Common/vernacular names:Balm of Gilead,
balsam fir, balsam of fir, balsam fir Canada,
Canada balsam, Canadian balsam, and
Canada turpentine.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Balsam Canada is an oleoresin occurring nor-
mally in the bark ofAbies balsamea, collected
by puncturing the vesicles on the bark. It is a
light greenish-yellow, viscous liquid that so-
lidifies on exposure to air.A. balsameais an
evergreen tree up to 20 m high with trunk
usually 30–45 cm in diameter; native to
Balsam canada 65
