| Researchers believe that it was balsam fir (Albies | | | | pain; Ojibwas used gum resin for colds, sores, sore |
| balsamea) that was the "Balm of Gilead" and that it | | | | eyes, venereal disease; the Penobscots used gum |
| was one of the kingly gifts given to the Christ child. | | | | resin for cuts and sores; the Pillagers used needles in |
| Known as "liquid gold" it was one of the three oils | | | | sweat baths; the Pottawatomies used gum resin for |
| found in King Tutankhamen's grave and thus | | | | colds and sores; and the Caughnawagas used gum |
| considered of royal nature. It makes sense that the | | | | resin for cancers. Here is one of those clues found on |
| Magi representing the East in acknowledging Jesus as | | | | our own continent as to the healing power of balsam |
| the "new King" would bring the "kingly oils." How | | | | fir. |
| exactly did the ancient people use this oil? That is a bit | | | | The Primary Action of Balsam |
| of a mystery. We do know that they liked to breathe | | | | Balsam is a powerful anticoagulant and |
| in its aroma because they lined their temples and | | | | anti-inflammatory. It's chemistry shows that it is over |
| homes with the wood of balsam fir trees. Fir or | | | | 90% monoterpenes making it highly anti-inflammatory. It |
| balsam is mentioned 18 times in the Bible in 1 Kings, 2 | | | | is a relaxant to the nervous system and to muscle |
| Kings, 2 Chronicles, the Psalms, the Song of Solomon, | | | | spasms, can lower cortisol levels and it has been |
| and in the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Nahum and | | | | shown to inhibit MCF-7 (aggressive Breast Cancer |
| Zechariah. Balsam fir has been used for thousands of | | | | cells). A combination of balsam fir and frankincense |
| years for respiratory and muscular system ailments. | | | | together are showing great ability to inhibit breast |
| Hildegard of Bingen in the twelfth century referred to | | | | cancers. How is it being used? By daily topical |
| balsam and said it was of royal nature and advised | | | | application in a 50-50 dilution on site. If this were a |
| that it ought to be used as a medicine with great | | | | pharmaceutical drug application, it would be hailed as a |
| caution because it was so powerful. In more modern | | | | medical break-through. Women learning about this who |
| times, balsam fir has proved to be an anticoagulant | | | | have a family history of aggressive breast cancer are |
| and anti-inflammatory. It is used by many massage | | | | opting for prophylactic application of balsam and |
| therapists because it is a relaxant to the nervous | | | | frankincense on their breasts. I have also heard many |
| system and to muscle spasms. | | | | personal testimonies of women who experience |
| In North America where balsam trees are plentiful, the | | | | frequent cyst formations who try this and find that |
| Chippewas used the gum resin as an analgesic; the | | | | these cysts disappear without further medical |
| Menominees used gum resin for cold, cuts, lung and | | | | intervention. |
| sores; Montagnais applied gum resin for chest or heart | | | | |