balm

(bäm)
n.

1. 1. A chiefly Mediterranean perennial herb (Melissa officinalis) in the mint family, grown for its lemon-scented foliage, which is used as a seasoning or for tea. Also called lemon balm.
   2. Any of several related plants in the mint family, such as the bee balm and the horse balm.
2. Any of various aromatic resins exuded from several trees and shrubs, especially the balm of Gilead (Commiphora) and related plants.
3. An aromatic salve or oil.
4. A pleasing aromatic fragrance.
5. A soothing, healing, or comforting agent or quality.

[Middle English baume, balsam, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum. See balsam.]

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is pronounced bahm, and is most commonly used in its figurative meaning 'a healing or soothing influence or consolation' (e.g. a balm to the senses). Originally it meant a fragrant medicinal liquid exuded from certain trees.

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Melissa officinalis, Labiaceae

An aromatic plant originally from southern Europe, lemon balm is related to mint. Called "lemon balm" because of the lemon smell emitted by its leaves, it is also known as "balm mint," "sweet balm" or just "balm." The upper part of its leaves is covered in tiny hairs. Small flowers tinged with white or pink produce long oval seeds.

Serving Ideas

Lemon balm is used fresh or dried. It is a good accompaniment to pungent, bitter foods. Highly prized in Asian countries, it is used to flavor Indian curries, soups and sauces. Add lemon balm just before serving. Lemon balm seasons mixed salads, omelettes, rice, fish, stuffings, orange- or lemon-flavored pastries, fruit salads, compotes and fruit juices. It is used in the manufacture of liqueurs, including Benedictine and Chartreuse. In the Netherlands, it flavors and softens the taste of marinated herring and eel. The Spanish use lemon balm to perfume milk, sauces and soups.

Buying

Choose: fresh lemon balm with firm stems and leaves, without any dark spots.

Nutritional Information
Properties (essential oil): carminative, tonic, stomachic, sudorific, anthelmintic, bactericidal, antispasmodic and digestive. A folk tradition ascribes the power of extending longevity to lemon balm.

Infused as a tea, fresh lemon balm is said to be effective against headaches, minor gastric ailments, nervousness and dizziness. Taken after a meal, lemon balm tea is said to help reduce flatulence and colic pains.

One of the elements of its essential oil, citral, is used to perfume deodorant creams, hair-styling products and insecticides.

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For more information on balm, visit Britannica.com.

A herb (Melissa officinalis) with hairy leaves and a lemon scent, therefore often known as lemon balm. Used for its flavour in fruit salads, sweet or savoury sauces, etc., as well as for preparation of herb teas. Claimed to have calming medicinal properties; it is rich in tannins.

verb

To make or become calm: allay, becalm, calm (down), lull, quiet, settle, still, tranquilize. See calm/agitation.

n

Definition: comfort
Antonyms: irritant

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IN BRIEF: n. - Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation; Any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing.

Tutor's tip: "Balm" is a soothing, healing lotion, and "barm" is the yeast formed during alcohol fermentation. A "bomb" is an explosive weapon, and a "bombe" is a frozen dessert.

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1. a balsam.
2. a soothing or healing medicine.

For a list of words related to balm, see:

• Grooming Aids and Processes - balm: ointment, lotion, or cream for soothing skin
• Herbaceous Plants
• Dressings and Supports - balm: fragrant ointment or aromatic oil with medicinal value
• Smells - balm: aromatic fragrance or sweet odor, esp. in resinous, oily substance exuding from certain plants

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See words rhyming with "balm."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Balm.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - balsam

Nederlands (Dutch)
balsem, balsemboom/ -geur, balsemen, lenigen

Français (French)
n. - baume, (Bot) mélisse officinale, citronnelle

Deutsch (German)
n. - Balsam

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - βάλσαμο, καταπραϋντικό

Italiano (Italian)
balsamo

Português (Portuguese)
n. - bálsamo (m), erva-cidreira (Bot.), lenitivo (m)

Русский (Russian)
бальзам

Español (Spanish)
n. - bálsamo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - balsam, lindring

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
香油, 安慰物, 香膏

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 香油, 安慰物, 香膏

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 향유, 서양박하, 진통제

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 香油, 鎮痛剤, 慰め, 芳香, バルサム

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) بلسم‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮צרי, תרופה מרגיעה‬

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