Balsam of Houmi′′ri. [Nat.] From humir′ia balsamif′era, or the houmiri-tree of Guiana.
It resembles ‘balsam of umiri’ produced by another tree of the same genus. (See below.)
Balsam of Lead. See Balsam, Goulard’s.
Balsam of Life. Syn. Balm of life; Bal′samum vi′tæ, L.; Baume de vie, Elix′ir de vie, &c., Fr. Several compound medicines have been called by this name. Those of Gabius, Hoffman, and Turlington, are noticed under Patent Medicines (which see). The following are distinct preparations:—
1. Baume de vie externe:—Soap liniment, 2 parts; oil of turpentine, 1 part; mix. Stimulant and rubefacient. Used with friction.
2. Baume de vie purgatif; Elixir de vie:—a. (Briett.) Socotrine aloes and saffron, of each, 2 drs.; rhubarb, 6 drs.; liquorice-root, 1 oz.; proof spirit or brandy, 1⁄2 pint; digest a week, and filter.
b. (Original Swedish formula.) Aloes, 9 drs.; agaric, gentian, rhubarb, saffron, theriaca, and zedoary, of each 1 dr.; proof spirit or brandy, 1 quart. A mild stomachic purge.—Dose. 1 to 6 drs. Tincture of rhubarb-and-aloes (Ph. E.) is commonly substituted for it. See Elixirs.
Balsam of Liq′uorice. See Patent Medicines.
Balsam of Mec′ca. Syn. Balm of Gil′ead, B. of Mec′ca, Opobal′sam (-bawl′-), Jews’ balsam†, Oil of b.†, &c., Eng.; Bal′samum (băl′-) Gileaden′se, B. è Mec′ca, Opobal′samum (-băl′-) &c., L.; Baume de la Mecque, B. de Mecca*, B. de Judée, Opobalsamum, &c., Fr. Bal′samum Ægypti′acum†, B. Alpi′ni†, B. Antiquo′′rum Genui′num†, B. Asiat′icum†, B. Syri′acum†, O′leum Bal′sami†, &c., L. A fragrant oleo-resinous substance, obtained from balsamoden′dron gileaden′se (Kunth.; amy′ris gileaden′sis, Linn.; a. opobal′samum, Forsk), a middle-sized tree of the nat. ord. Terebinthacæ (DC.), growing in Arabia Felix, Asia Minor, and Egypt. It is the BALM of the Old Testament, and the βἁλσαμον of Theophrastus and Dioscorides. It is chemically classed with the turpentines.
Prop., &c. When fresh it is turbid and whitish, but becomes by degrees transparent, of a rich golden colour, and slightly thicker; and by exposure, eventually solid. It possesses a penetrating and delicate fragrance; tastes sharp, bitter, spicy, and somewhat astringent; is not entirely soluble in rectified spirit, but dissolves more or less completely in both the fixed and volatile oils, which then assume the fragrance of the balsam. A drop let fall on hot water spreads itself over the whole surface, like a film of oil, and again contracts on the water cooling. This, with its fragrance, is the common test of its genuineness in Turkey. The inferior qualities, or those of commerce, are generally opaque and thick, rapidly resinifying and turning of a dull yellow by age. When applied to the skin it causes redness and swelling. It was formerly regarded as possessing the most varied and exalted virtues, particularly as an antiseptic, stimulant, vulnerary, and nervine; and its fumes were supposed to prevent barrenness. It is still highly prized in the East as a cosmetic and perfume; and is said to be unequalled for giving a healthy glow to the complexion and promoting the growth of the hair. Its medicinal qualities are intermediate to those of the aromatic turpentines and balsam of tolu.—Dose. From 3 to 6, or even 10 or 12 drops.