What Is Balsam?
Balsam is a plant compound which is noted for its strong odor. Several plants produce substances which are classified as balsam, and an assortment of other plants have a balsam-like odor which leads gardeners to refer to them as balsams. The "true balsams" produce a semisolid material which is not soluble in water. Some common examples of balsam-bearing trees include balsam pines, balsam firs, balsam poplars, and Balsam of Peru. Some people like to grow balsam-bearing trees and plants as ornamentals and scent enhancers for the garden.
The strong and distinctive scent of balsam is due to the presence of benzoic and cinnamic acid or esters of these acids. Depending on the tree, the tree may freely weep balsam, allowing people to collect beaded balsam sap, or the tree may need to be cut to release the material, which is usually oily or gummy when it flows from the tree. Over time, the balsam hardens, making it easier to handle and transport, and it may be yellowish to brown in color.
Medical preparations have historically been made with balsam because the strong odor was believed to be medically beneficial, especially for respiratory conditions. This belief mirrors a once-widely accepted belief that medicinal preparations had to have a strong odor to be effective. Balsam has also been used in religious ceremonies as incense, or for religious anointing when mixed with oil and other aromatics.
People have also favored the strong odor of balsam for home maintenance and personal care. Branches from balsam trees were once used to strew floors and decorate halls in buildings which were cleaned infrequently and packed with people who bathed on an irregular basis. The tradition of cutting aromatic branches has endured in many cultures, especially in the winter, when homes often become stuffy, making the fresh scent of pine or fir branches especially appealing.
In personal care, balsam has been mixed into various hair care products, along with soaps, perfumes, and other materials. In the modern era, some people enjoy the note of balsam provided by using balsam-scented soaps, and historically, the smell covered up more unpleasant body odors. Balsam soap especially is very popular in some regions of the world, and balsam notes are also included in perfumes and detergents. For people who like to experiment with scents on their own, pure balsam extract is available from specialty purveyors for use in soaps, perfumes, and other personal care items.
Written by S.E. Smith
