Balm of Gilead
Botanical Name: Populus gileadensis
Common Names and Synonyms: Poplar Buds, Balsam Poplar
Background: Traditionally, Balm of Gilead has been used primarily
in the treatment of upper respiratory infections and has been considered
a specific for laryngitis. The oil can be used topically for bruises
and rheumatic pains as well as for eczema and psoriasis. The leaves,
often used in a potpourri, produce a lemon-cedar-camphor fragrance
when bruised, and the plant can be placed in a sunny room to give
off a pleasant scent.
Balm of Gilead in the Cayce Readings
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Edgar Cayce most often recommended Balm of Gilead in complex tonics.
No specific action of this herb was given, although it was usually given
in the same portion of the formula as "carriers" such as alcohol and tolu.
A few readings recommended Balm of Gilead for massage, usually mixed with
myrrh or golden seal.
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Balm of Gilead was prescribed in the following amounts:
| 2 drams |
12 readings |
| 1 dram |
10 readings |
| 3 drams |
7 readings |
| 1/2 ounce |
1 reading |
| 20 minims |
1 reading |
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Balm of Gilead was typically recommended in combination with other substances.
The most frequently mentioned substances mentioned in the same readings
with Balm of Gilead are:
| Buchu Leaves |
19 readings |
| Sarsaparilla |
19 readings |
| Yellow Dock |
19 readings |
| Tolu |
18 readings |
| Wild Cherry |
17 readings |
| Mandrake |
16 readings |
| Elder Flower |
14 readings |
| Calisaya |
13 readings |
| Prickly Ash |
10 readings |
| Burdock |
9 readings |
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Three readings specified that the Balm of Gilead should be in its natural
or "normal" state ("using the buds," "in the bulb").
Cayce Quotes on Balm of Gilead
4749-1
Add to those forces and give the application of
that vibration that will give the body the incentive to overcome the condition
in the system. There will be some trouble expected with the developing
of this body in some weeks and some months to come. These will be
well to be remembered and keep these in mind, for there will be a developing
through the intestinal tract of a congestion, if not post-minded to this
condition, that will prove serious to this body. If the conditions
arise in the body, use this as they appear. This does not show at
present but it may appear. If so, use equal parts of Tincture of
Myrrh and Balm of Gilead - rub across the groin and abdomen of this body.
This will come in some weeks unless the diet is changed in the body.
Then to give the relief to this body we would first
take in the system that which will give the incentive for correction in
the body through the digestive organs, and as well through the mental reaction
in the system. Unless the body desires to improve itself, it will
continue to enjoy poor health.
4550-1
Take this: To one gallon of rain water add:
Wild Cherry Bark..............6 ounces,
Cane Sugar....................8 ounces.
Reduce this by simmering (not boiling) to one quart.
Then add:
Water.........................8 ounces, and
Calisaya Bark.................2 ounces,
Yellow Dock Root..............2 ounces,
Yellow Root...................2 ounces,
Buchu Leaves.................15 grains,
and reduce to one quart again. Strain while warm and add two ounces
of grain alcohol, with two drams of Balm of Gilead in it (in the bulb).
The dose would be teaspoonful four times each day before meals, and before
retiring. Take the massage of the osteopathic forces over the whole
system while this is being taken. The osteopathic forces should be
applied twice each week. We will find we will improve the appetite,
the elimination, the condition in the bronchials, lungs and
through the digestive tract. Do that for this body.
4173-1
Massage the body especially along the spine from
the cervical down over the whole system but especially the spinal region,
with this:
To one-half gallon of rain water, add six (6) ounces
of Plantain root and leaves. Reduce by simmering to one-half the
quantity, then add:
Balm of Gilead................3 drams,
Tincture of Myrrh............20 minims.
Reduce this again by heating, you see, to one-half
the quantity, then add Oil of Butterfat until a thin paste is made.
This massaged into the system, see, every third day.
4165-1
We would have the assistance to these forces that
are combating with the conditions. Keep those as we are using and
apply to the body those of the forces that may be absorbed within the system
by massage well in the system, the BALM OF GILEAD along the whole length
of the spine, very gently, you see, into the arm pits, into the groin,
and about the thyroids; so that the system - the blood supply, may take
all these forces and assist to meet the resistance with the conditions
as they are arising in the body, that life may be prolonged from time to
time by the meeting of these
conditions with this.
2790-1
To relieve the condition for this body we would
keep those forces for the system much as we have at the present time.
We would only take those of a stimulation to the body to give the correct
vibration through the system with the air and water as is being shown or
given in the body, as in this:
To one gallon of rain water we would add:
4 oz. ...............Wild Cherry Bark, preferably
from the North side of the tree.
2 oz.................Yellow Root
2 oz.................Red Root
1 oz.................Prickly Ash Bark
1 oz.................Elder Flower
Reduce this by simmering, not boiling, to one quart,
strain, while warm add:
2 drams..............Balm of Gilead
6 oz.................Grain Alcohol
The dose with this would be teaspoonful four times
each day before meals. The effect with this on the system is to give
the stimulation to the organs and to the eliminating forces in the system,
as in this:
The active principle from the Wild Cherry Bark with
the other ingredients is a stimulation to the lungs, throat and bronchials
and those organs above the diaphragm.
The Yellow Root is for the pneumogastric forces
and gastric juices of the pyloric end of the stomach itself.
The Red Root is a stimulus for the secretions given
by the pancrean forces and the spleen in its functioning from the blood
cell forces as destroyed there.
The Prickly Ash Bark is for the blood supply as
acted upon in the emunctory forces of the liver itself proper.
The Elder Flower is as that in the functioning of
the organs of the pelvis with the action of the kidneys, with the stimulation
from the alcohol and Balm of Gilead in these organs.
2252-1
(Q) Should this body be massaged with the hands?
(A) Be well if this was massaged into the body at least each
time when the temperature is very high and until this is reduced.
Be well also to rub well into the groin, across the abdomen and the liver
and spleen, you see, that is higher up here, you see, equal parts of Golden
Seal and Balm of Gilead.
Do that.
76-1
To one gallon of rain water we would add:
Sarsaparilla Root..................3 ounces,
Dogwood Bark.......................1 ounce,
Calisaya Bark......................1 ounce,
Elder Flower.......................4 ounces,
Buchu Leaves......................15 grains.
Reduce by simmering, not boiling, to one quart, strain
while warm, and add 6 oz. grain alcohol with 2 drams of Balsam of Tolu
cut in it and 1 dram of Balm of Gilead (that of course in its normal state)
with 15 minims (drops) of oil of peppermint.
26-1
Then to give the relief to this body, and bring
about the nearer equilibrium, we would give this into the system, taking
exercises of specific nature for the whole system:
To one gallon of rain water, we would add:
Sarsaparilla Root.............2 ounces,
Burdock Root..................2 ounces,
Yellow Dock Root..............2 ounces,
Yellow Root...................2 ounces,
Black Snake Root..............2 ounces,
Buchu Leaves.................10 grains,
Elder Flower..................4 ounces.
Reduce by simmering (not boiling) to one quart.
Strain while warm and add three drams of Balm of Gilead and four ounces
of grain alcohol, using the buds, you see, in the Gilead. The dose
would be a teaspoonful four times each day.
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