Balsam Essential Oil

Balsam is the plant fluid that is found in most trees and shrubs. The name Balsam is ‘Balsamum’ in Latin, which means ‘gum of the balsam tree’. It originates from the biblical Balm of Gilead and was named by ancient Greeks. Balsam Essential oil  is extracted by making an incision on the bark of the trunk of a tree. And the Balsam essential oil is then obtained through the steam distillation process. This essential oil blends well with most oils.

Today, it is popular for its use in making perfumes and its medicinal properties.

Balsam Peru Essential Oil

Balsam Peru oil is produced from Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae. Despite its name, it originates from El Salvador. It got the name ‘Peru’ during colonial times when it was exported from Peru to Europe for its medicinal properties. The Myroxylon balsamum is a slender tree that grows 500-1500 meters tall and is biennial.

A myth about Balsam Peru oil is that it attracts wealth, happiness, protects against emotional excesses, and improves creativity. This is true to some degree. Balsam Peru essential oil is therapeutic and a great remedy for combating stress and anxiety. And with the right state of mind, come better mental focus, increased productivity, and the ability to control emotions.

It also makes an excellent fixative in natural perfumery, especially where a sweet vanilla note is required. Buy

Features of the Balsam Peru Essential Oil

This essential oil carries a woody, earthy, and sweet aroma that will remind you of vanilla and benzoin. It also has a hint of cinnamon. It comes in a very thick consistency and a dark brown color. Its scent is of medium strength.

Its main constituents are Benzoic Acid, Cinnamic Acid, Benzyl Cinnamate, and Cinnamyl Cinnamate.

Balsam Peru essential oil blends well with spicy, woody, and floral oils. You can try black pepper, clove, lotus pink, agarwood, cardamom, cedarwood, spearmint, cinnamon, jasmine, rose, ylangylang, tuberose, vanilla, anise, orris, orange, and patchouli.

Balsam Copaiba Oil

Balsam Copaiba or Copaifera officinalis whose origin is Brazil and other parts of South America is also known by the names Copaiva, Copayer, and Jesuit’s Balsam. The Copaiba is a densely branched leguminous tree with pinnate leathery leaves and small white flowers. It belongs to the Copaifera species.

Although Copaiba is commonly used in perfumes, soaps, and other cosmetic products, its effectiveness and history as a form of medication cannot be ignored. The Copaiba Balsam was initially accepted by the U.S. Pharmacopeia as an official drug from 1820 to 1910. It is also used in aromatherapy to provide calmness and balance. It is grounding and alleviates stress and anxiety. Buy

Features of Balsam Copaiba

This essential oil contains over 90% sesquiterpenes. Its main constituents are B-Caryophyllene, a-Copaiene, delta-Cadinene, Gamma-Cadinene, and Cedrol.

When it is first tapped, the tree yields a thin and clear oily resin that thickens and darkens when it gets in contact with air. The final product after steam distillation is bright yellow, has a medium consistency, and a sweet and woody aroma.

Balsam Copaiba oil blends well with most spice oils and citrus oils. You can try black pepper, angelica, cardamom, clove, chamomile, thyme, turmeric, pine, orris, violet leaf, cedarwood, lavender, ylangylang, and spruce.

Balsam Gurjum

You have probably heard it in the names Gurjum, East Indian Copaiba, Gurjum Balsam, Gurjum, or dipterocarpus turbinatum. Balsam Gurjum essential oil is derived from a deciduous tree that grows to between 8 and 12 meters tall with reddish leaves. It is native to Indonesia, Burma, and East Indies Indonesia and belongs to the dipterocarpaceae family.

Balsam Gurjum is often used as an inexpensive fixative component in perfumes, and also commonly used in varnish and lacquer. But it carries some excellent medicinal properties as well. It is also a therapeutic plant that can provide spiritual, mental, and emotional healing, improving your overall wellbeing.

Balsam essential oils provide overall wellness. They will improve the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of your life. And when these aspects improve, your social life will improve as well.

These essential oils will provide cardiovascular, rheumatic, and respiratory health. They will help eliminate toxic deposits from your body, fight inflammation, and help with keeping your skin healthy while keeping stress away.

You can also use Balsam essential oils as a natural perfume. They can also be used in an oil diffuser, massage oils, and creams, or body care products.

When dealing with respiratory difficulties use two drops of the essential oil in steam inhalation or add a few drops to an inhaler. You can also add it to vapor rub and a massage on the chest, back, and throat. Buy

Features of the Balsam Gurjum Essential Oil

Balsam Gurjum essential oil is extracted from the oleoresin derived from the Gurjun tree and comes in a thin consistency and clear color.

This essential oil contains over 90% sesquiterpenes. It constitutes mainly of B-caryophyllene, a-gurjunene, B-gurjunene, and allo-aromadendrene

Balsam Gurjum essential oil has a sweet and woody scent that is mild with hints of pine and patchouli. It blends well with woody, spicy, and citrusoils. You can try eucalyptus, chamomile, grapefruit, pine, vanilla, roman essential oil, cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense, rosemary, spruce, patchouli, or fir.

Balsam Essential oil
Balsam Essential oil

Balsam Essential oil : Background

The original Balsam oil came from the persimmon tree. During Biblical times, it was used to anoint the kings of Israel, and in 1989, the oil was found in a sealed jar near the Dead Sea.

Academics believe that the gift presented as gold by the wise men to Jesus was, in fact, golden Balsam oil. This could be true given that Myrrh and Frankincense, which were also given to Jesus, grew in the same place as plants yielding Balsam.

 

Balsam Essential Oil : Benefits

Balsam oils have been used over the years for their strong therapeutic properties and the ability to help with several skin issues. They also keep the body organs working in top condition and improve the immune system.

You can benefit from this essential oil in one of the following eight ways.

Skin Healing Properties

Balsam oils have proven to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. They prevent cuts, wounds, insect bites, burns, eczema, scabies, and sores from getting infections caused by bacteria and other pathogens. This quickens the healing process. They can also help with the management of dry and reddened skin, skin inflammation, and irritation.

Its anti-irritant and moisturizing properties will help take good care of the skin, manage acne breakouts, and help with dandruff problems. The oil can treat conditions like leishmaniasis, which is the formation of skin sores as a result of parasites caused by sand flies.

Promotes Calmness

The Balsam essential oils help to calm emotions that are out of control and reduce nervous tension after an overwhelming day or during a stressful period.

Their scent provides rest. They help to alleviate stress and anxiety,uplift the spirit, provide a more positive outlook towards life, and produce feelings of happiness. And by lowering the blood pressure, these oils cause the body to relax as well.

Alleviates Respiratory Problems

In the case of nasal and airway congestion that comes from respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, flu, colds, and allergies, Balsam essential oils can provide much-needed relief.

They act as an expectorant that activates the lungs to remove excess phlegm, which makes it easier to breathe, reduces the cough, and eases other symptoms associated with respiratory problems.

Naturally Diuretic

Balsam essential oils are naturally diuretic. This means they induce urination, which in turn flushes out toxins from the body, such as urea, uric acid, excess salts, and excess water.

It keeps the kidneys functioning properly and prevents a buildup of toxins that can cause high blood pressure, renal dysfunction, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. The oils can also help with the loss of bladder control and bedwetting.

They are Antioxidants

These essential oils, such as Balsam Perucan help the body to eliminate harmful free radicals. It gives the immune system a boost and prevents premature aging.

The Balsam oils also prevent the occurrence of chronic health problems like cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and even cancer.

They Carry Anti-inflammatory Properties

Balsam essential oils, such as Copaiba oil and Balsam Gurjum essential oil can help with the management of diseases and conditions associated with inflammation, such as arthritis and heart disease.

They also provide relief from the associated pain and promote rheumatic health. They lower the body’s production of some immune cells associated with inflammation and reduce free radicals that can cause cell damage.

They Provide Pain Relief

The compound beta-caryophyllene found in balsamic oil is in high amounts compared to other essential oils. This compound is suspected to work towards regulating the body’s response to pain, inflammation, irritation, and discomfort.

These essential oils can help with the inflammatory pain that results from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus.

Boosts the Circulatory System

Balsam oils are also effective in stimulating the circulatory system and eliminating strain in the system. They relax the tension in the blood vessels and facilitate the flow of blood closer to the skin and to vital organs and body cells.

This helps with the management of conditions like varicose veins. Stimulating the functioning of the cardiovascular system also prevents conditions that can be caused by uncontrolled blood pressure, such as heart attack, failure, stroke, weakened blood vessels, and aneurysm.

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Contraindications

Balsam oils are fairly safe to use, but they should always be diluted in the recommended portions before applying on the skin.

It is best to conduct a skin patch test to check if you are allergic to any components of the oil before using it. A skin patch test involves applying a few drops of the diluted oil to a bandage and sticking it in the inside of your arm. Wait for 24 to 48 hours, and if there is any irritation, you should avoid using the oil.

For women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any underlying medical conditions, they should consult with a doctor first to check if it’s safe to use the oil.

Contraindications – Balsam Peru

Like all other essential oils, it is vital to dilute Balsam Peru first before applying it to the skin.

Some individuals may also develop skin sensitivities to the oil. It is best to conduct a skin patch test first before using it or get a medical doctor to ascertain whether or not you are allergic to any components in the oil.

The oil carries a higher risk of causing skin sensitization when used in a bath, even in a diluted form. So, avoid using it in baths. Breast feeding moms should avoid applying the oil on the skin and pregnant women should only use it under a doctor’s instructions.

Do not use the essential oil on children under two years. And do not use it internally. It is considered safe for pets, but its best to check with your vet first before using it.

Contraindications – Balsam Copaiba

There are no known risks of using this essential oil, but pregnant or nursing moms should consult with a medical professional before using it. The same case applies to those with underlying health conditions.

Like all other essential oils, dilute balsam Copaiba essential oil before using it. You should also carry out a skin patch test before applying it on your skin to check for any allergic reactions.

Keep it away from children.

Balsam Copaiba essential oil is considered safe for pets but its best to use it under a vet’s instructions.

Contraindications – Balsam Gurjum

Balsam Gurjum essential oil does not pose any known risks to pregnant women and breastfeeding moms. However, it should be used in small doses and under the directions of a physician.

You should also always dilute the oil first before applying it to the skin. It is highly recommendable to carry out a skin patch test first before using the oil to test for sensitivities.

You should keep it away from children and only use in pets under a vet’s direction.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.