balsam \bal"sam\ baddl"sam, n. l. balsamum the balsam tree
   or its resin, gr. ba`lsamon. see balm, n.
   1. a resin containing more or less of an essential or
      volatile oil.
      1913 webster

   note: the balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing
         spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. a
         great variety of substances pass under this name, but
         the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in
         addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and
         cinnamic acid. among the true balsams are the balm of
         gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, peru, and tolu.
         there are also many pharmaceutical preparations and
         resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to
         which the name balsam has been given.
         1913 webster

   2. bot.
      a a species of tree abies balsamea.
      b an annual garden plant impatiens balsamina with
          beautiful flowers; balsamine.
          1913 webster

   3. anything that heals, soothes, or restores.
      1913 webster

            was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood?
                                                  --tennyson.
      1913 webster

   balsam apple bot., an east indian plant momordica
      balsamina, of the gourd family, with red or
      orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a
      walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and
      poultices.

   balsam fir bot., the american coniferous tree, abies
      balsamea, from which the useful canada balsam is derived.
      

   balsam of copaiba. see copaiba.

   balsam of mecca, balm of gilead.

   balsam of peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained
      from a central american tree myroxylon pereirae and
      used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment
      of ulcers, etc. it was long supposed to be a product of
      peru.

   balsam of tolu, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or
      solid balsam, obtained from a south american tree
      myroxylon toluiferum. it is highly fragrant, and is
      used as a stomachic and expectorant.

   balsam tree, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp.
      the abies balsamea.

   canada balsam, balsam of fir, canada turpentine, a
      yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure,
      becomes a transparent solid mass. it is obtained from the
      balm of gilead or balsam fir abies balsamea by
      breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. see
      balm.
      1913 webster
see also:
balm abies balsamea impatiens balsamina balsam apple momordica balsamina balsam fir 
abies balsamea balsam of copaiba copaiba balsam of mecca balsam of peru 
myroxylon pereirae balsam of tolu myroxylon toluiferum balsam tree canada balsam 
balsam of fir 

momordica balsamina
     n : a tropical old world flowering vine with red or orange warty
         fruit syn: balsam apple
see also:
balsam apple