Canadian balsam

Safety data -- generally non toxic, non irritant, nonsensitizing

Family -- Pinacea

Synonyms -- Balsam fir, Balsam tree, American silver fir, Balm of Gilead fir, Canada turpentine

Herbal and folk tradition - The oleoresin is used extensively by Native Americans for ritual purposes and as an external treatment for burns, sores, and to relieve heart and chest pains.  It is also used internally for coughs.

Aroma therapy/home use

Skincare -- burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, wounds.

Respiratory system -- asthma, bronchitis, cut off, chronic coughs, sore throat.

Genito-urinary -- cystitis, urinary infections.

Nervous system -- depression, nervous tension, stress-related conditions, sedative, elevating, grounding, opening. In large doses is it is a purgative and may cause nausea.

Other uses -- the oil from the oleoresin is used in certain ointments and creams as an antiseptic and treatment for hemorrhoids.  Used in dentistry as an ingredient in root canal sealers.  Also used as a fixative component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes.  There is some lower-level use in food products, alcoholic soft drinks.  The oeloresin is used as a medium in microscopy and a cement in glassware.

Distribution --  native to North America, particularly Quebec, Nova Scotia and Maine.

Extraction

1.  The oleoresin is collected by puncturing vesicles in the bark.

2.  And essential oil is produced by steam distillation from the oleoresin known as Canada balsam or Canada turpentine (and essential oil is also produced by steam distillation from the leaf or needles, known as fir needle oil).

Characteristics

1.  The oleoresin is a thick pale yellow-green honey-like mass, which dries to crystal clear varnish, with a fresh sweet balsamic, almost fruity odor.

2.  A colorless mobile liquid with a sweet, soft balsamic, pine-like scent.  It blends well with pine, cedarwood, cypress, sandalwood, juniper, benzoin and other balsams.

Actions -- antiseptic  (genito-urinary, pulmonary), antitussive, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, purgative, regulatory, sedative (nerve tonic, vulnerary. 

NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESENT

Back to Oils