The plant has rich green leaves. People of this region referred to this modern named balm as lukkum. On the market it is named "balm of Gilead", valued for its fragrance. From the gum resin of the bark comes an aromatic medicine used until the seventeenth century (Walker).
"Is there no balm in Gilead?" This question asked by Jeremiah has become a household expression.
Genesis 37:25 (KJV) And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Jeremiah 8:22 (KJV) Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Jeremiah 46:11 (KJV) Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the
daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not
be cured.
Jeremiah 51:8 (KJV) Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her;
take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
You may email comments to plants-of-old@juno.com
Get your own Free home page