This particular balsam fir comes from the Canadian border of overgrown Christmas tree farms. Idaho Balsam Fir belongs to the pine family of essential oils. There is now some evidence that the “liquid gold” mentioned in the Bible was none other than Balsam, an oil fit for kings and royalty. It was one of three oils found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922 and the balm is now thought to have been the “Balm of Gilead.” The balm has been used for thousands of years as a medicated oil for respiratory, muscular and rheumatic pain. Balsam Fir is mentioned 18 times in the Bible in 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, the Psalms, the Song of Songs, and in the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Nahum, and Zechariah.
How did medieval healers use balsam fir?
Balsam fir has been used for respiratory and muscular system foods. In the 12th century, Hildegard of Bingen referred to the balm as being of “royal nature” and advised that it should be used as a medicine with great caution because it was so powerful. She used it for fever, for paralysis, and for someone who was mad by making an ointment out of it and rubbing it on her temples and around her head to restore her mind and good health.
How can balsam fir help us stay healthy today?
Balsam fir has been shown to be anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory. It is used by many massage therapists because it relaxes the nervous system and relieves muscle spasms. The balm can reduce cortisol levels. Studies have shown that the balm will inhibit MCF7- (aggressive breast cancer cells). Idaho balsam fir and frankincense work very well together to inhibit cancer in seven different cancer lines. The balm is used for infections of the throat, lungs, and sinuses, for fatigue, arthritis, and rheumatism. It is also good for urinary tract infections, scoliosis, lumbago, and sciatica. The main effect of Idaho balsam fir is anti-inflammatory.
How is Balsam Fire used?
This oil can be inhaled, applied neat (undiluted) to the body, or diluted one part Idaho balsam fir to one part blended oil. It can be diffused or taken as a dietary supplement and applied to the site for muscle spasms. As for safety, Idaho balsam fir is non-toxic.
To learn more about how this ancient oil has modern applications, you can attend an aromatherapy program that discusses biblical oils. The Institute for Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers courses in the United States and discusses biblical oils, including balsam fir.