balsam

1. 1. Any of several aromatic resins, such as balsam of Peru and balsam of Tolu, that contain considerable amounts of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both, or their esters.
   2. Any of several other fragrant plant resins, such as Canada balsam.
   3. A similar substance, especially a fragrant ointment used as medication; a balm.
2. Any of various trees, especially the balsam fir, yielding an aromatic resinous substance.
3. See jewelweed.

[Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, of Semitic origin.]

Any of many viscous, sticky, aromatic fluids derived from plants; consists of resins plus oils.

For more information on balsam, visit Britannica.com.

A semifluid, fragrant, resinous, vegetable juice. Balsams are resins combined with oils, used in various preparations to treat irritated or denuded areas of the skin and mucous membranes. Stains from these preparations are extremely difficult to remove. Friar's balsam, called also compound benzoin tincture, is used as a topical protectant. Balsam of Peru, or Peruvian balsam, is used as a local protectant and rubefacient. Tolu balsam is used as an ingredient in compound benzoin and as an expectorant.

• b. traumatic — see friar's balsam.

Balsam is a term used for various pleasantly scented plant products. These are oily or gummy oleoresins, usually containing benzoic acid or cinnamic acid, obtained from the exudates of various trees and shrubs and used as a base for some botanical medicines. They may be obtained from:

• Balsam fir (Abies balsamea), producing Canada balsam
• Balsam poplars (Populus section Tacamahaca)
• Commiphora gileadensis, producing Balsam of Mecca
• Myroxylon, producing Tolu balsam and Peru balsam a land plant

It is a land plant.

Balsam may also refer to:

• the balsam family of flowering plants, Balsaminaceae
• the plant genus Impatiens
• Riga Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais balzams), a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur
• Friar's balsam, or Tincture of benzoin
• Arthur Balsam, the pianist
• Isaac Balsam, founder of the Balsam Dairy Farm
• Martin Balsam, the actor
• Paul Balsam, the New York Supreme Court Justice
• The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire
• Balsam, North Carolina, a town in the United States
• Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina
• Balsam Hill, an artificial Christmas tree company
• Balsam Lake (Wisconsin), a lake in Wisconsin

See also

• Basamum
• Balm of Gilead
• Balsamic Vinegar

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - balsamsalve

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    balsamicoeddike

Nederlands (Dutch)
balsem, balsemboom, springzaad, dadelpruim, parfum

Français (French)
n. - baume, balsamine, (Chim) oléorésine

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    vinaigre balsamique

Deutsch (German)
n. - Balsam

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    Balsamessig

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - βάλσαμο, βάλσαμος, βαλσαμόδεντρο

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    ξίδι της Βόρειας Ιταλίας

Italiano (Italian)
balsamo

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    aceto balsamico

Português (Portuguese)
n. - bálsamo (m)

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    vinagre (m) balsâmico

Русский (Russian)
бальзам, бальзамное дерево

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    уксус из бальзама

Español (Spanish)
n. - bálsamo, oleorresina

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    vinagre italiano oscuro y dulce

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - balsam

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
香油, 香膏, 产香油的树, 凤仙花

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    香醋

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 香油, 香膏, 產香油的樹, 鳳仙花

idioms:

• balsamic vinegar    香醋

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 진통제, 향유

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - バルサム, 香膏, バルサムの木
v. - バルサムで処理する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) بلسم, دهن البلسم‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮בושם, בלסמון‬

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