View source for Balm of Gilead

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'''Balm of Gilead''' is a [[healing]] compound (a [[liniment|balm]]) made from the [[resin]]ous [[natural gum|gum]] of the North American tree species ''[[Populus candicans]]''.

It takes its name from the allusive phrase "balm in Gilead", referring to the balm or balsam carried from [[Gilead]] by the caravan of merchants to whom [[Joseph (Hebrew Bible)|Joseph]] was sold by his brothers ([[Genesis]] chapter 37). In all likelihood, this ancient trade item was what is now known as [[balsam of Mecca]], produced from the tree ''Commiphora gileadensis'' (syn. ''Commiphora opobalsamum''), native to southern [[Arabia]].  

Balm of Gilead is mentioned in [[Edgar Allan Poe]]'s [[poem]] "[[The Raven]]". The character believes that the balm of Gilead can heal his broken heart, because he is lamenting for the death of his love, Lenore. For literary mentions of "balm in Gilead", see [[balsam of Mecca]].

==See also==
* [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ba/balmGile.html The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.  2001-05.]

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[[Category:Resins]]