balm

—balmlike, adj.

/bahm/, n.

1. any of various oily, fragrant, resinous substances, often of medicinal value, exuding from certain plants, esp. tropical trees of the genus Commiphora.

2. a plant or tree yielding such a substance.

3. any aromatic or fragrant ointment.

4. aromatic fragrance; sweet odor: the balm of orange blossoms.

5. any of various aromatic plants of the mint family, esp. those of the genus Melissa, as M. officinalis (lemon balm), having ovate lemon-scented leaves used as a seasoning.

6. anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain: the balm of friendship in troubled times.

[1175-1225; ME basme, ba(u)me < AF basme, bal(s)me, ba(u)me; OF < L balsamum BALSAM; with orthographic l pedantically restored]

Syn. 3. salve, unguent, lotion, emollient.

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Any of several fragrant herbs of the mint family, particularly Melissa officinalis (balm gentle, or lemon balm), cultivated in temperate climates for its fragrant leaves, which are used as a scent in perfumes and as a flavouring.

The name is also applied to Melittis melissophyllum (bastard balm), Monarda didyma (bergamot, or bee balm), Collinsonia canadensis (horse balm), Glecoma hederacea and Satureja (Calamintha) nepeta (field balm), and Molucella laevis (Molucca balm, or bells of Ireland), as well as to aromatic substances from species of Commiphora (trees and shrubs of the incense-tree family).

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▪ herb

      any of several fragrant herbs of the mint family, particularly Melissa officinalis, also called balm gentle, or lemon balm, and cultivated in temperate climates for its fragrant leaves, which are used as a scent in perfumery, as a flavouring in such foods as salads, soups, sauces, and stuffings, and as a flavouring in liqueurs, wine, and fruit drinks. Balm was used in medicinal teas, as a diaphoretic, and in wine drinks by the Greeks and Orientals in ancient times.

      The name is also applied to Melittis melissophyllum, bastard balm; Monarda didyma, bee balm, or Oswego tea; Collinsonia canadensis, horse balm; Glecoma hederacea and Satureja (Calamintha) nepeta, field balm; and Molucella laevis, Molucca balm, or bells of Ireland. Aromatic exudations from species of Commiphora (trees and shrubs of the incense-tree family) may also be referred to as balm. Balm of Gilead, or balm of Mecca, is the myrrhlike resin from Commiphora opobalsamum of Arabia. The balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is sometimes called balm fir, or balm of Gilead fir. The balm of Gilead poplar is related to the balsam poplar. Balm of heaven is the California laurel (Umbellularia californica).

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