BAL'SAM, n. [L.balsamum.] An oily, aromatic, resinous substance, flowing spontaneously or by incision, from certain plants. A (p.22)

great variety of substances pass under this denomination. But in modern chimistry, the term is confined to such vegetable juices, as are liquid or spontaneously become concrete, and consist of a resinous substance, combined with benzoic acid, or capable of affording it by decoction or sublimation. The balsams are either liquid or solid; of the former, are the balm of Gilead and the balsams of copaiba, Peru and tolu; of the latter, benzoin, dragon's blood, and storax.

Balsam apple, an annual Indian plant; included under the genus Momordica. A water and a subtil oil are obtained from it, which are commended as deobstruents.

Balsam tree. This name is given to a genus of plants called Clusia; to another, called Copaifera, which produces the balsam of Copaiba; and to a third, called Pistacia, turpentine tree or mastich tree.

Balsam of Sulphur is a solution of sulphur in oil

Balsam of Tolu is the produce of the Toluifera, or Tolu tree, of South America. It is of a reddish yellow color, transparent, thick and tenacious, but growing hard and brittle by age. It is very fragrant, and like the Balsam of Peru, is a stimulant, and used as a pectoral.

Balsam of Peru, the produce of a tree in Peru, possessing strong stimulant qualities.

An oily, aromatic, resinous substance, flowing spontaneously or by incision, from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this denomination. But in modern chimistry the term is confined to such vegetable juices as are liquid or spontaneously become concrete, and consist of a resinous substance, combined with benzoic acid, or capable of affording it by decoction or sublimation. The balsams are either liquid or solid; of the former, are the balm of Gilead and the balsams of copaiba, Peru and Tolu; of the latter, benzoin, dragon's blood, and storax. – Encyc. Nicholson. Ure. Balsam apple, an annual Indian plant, included under the genus Momordica. A water and a subtil oil are obtained from it, which are commended as deobstruents. Balsam tree. This name is given to a genus of plants called Clusia; to another, called Copaifera, which produces the balsam of cepaiba; and to a third, called Pistacia, turpentine tree or mastich tree. Balsam of Sulphur is a solution of sulphur in oil. Balsam of Tolu is the produce of the Toluifera, or Tolu tree, of South America. It is of a reddish yellow color, transparent, thick and tenacious, but growing hard and brittle by age. It is very fragrant, and like the balsam of Peru, is a stimulant, and used as a pectoral. – Encyc. Linn. Balsam of Peru, the produce of a tree in Peru, possessing strong stimulant qualities.

1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil.
   
   

   * The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given.

2. To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.
3. A species of tree (Abies balsamea).
   
   
   (b)
4. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores.
   
   

   Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood?
   Tennyson.

   Balsam apple (Bot.), an East Indian plant (Momordica balsamina), of the gourd family, with red or orange- yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and poultices. -- Balsam fir (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, Abies balsamea, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived. -- Balsam of copaiba. See Copaiba. -- Balsam of Mecca, balm of Gilead. -- Balsam of Peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree (Myroxylon Pereiræ and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru. -- Balsam of Tolu, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree (Myroxylon toluiferum). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant. -- Balsam tree, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the Abies balsamea. -- Canada balsam, Balsam of fir, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir (Abies balsamea) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See Balm.