- Balsam is an oily, resinous,
and odorous substance, which flows spontaneously or by incision from
certain plants, and which the Church mixes with olive oil for use as
chrism. The term balsam, however, is also applied to many pharmaceutical
preparations and resinous substances which possess a balsamic odour.
- Balsam is available in oil,
gel, emulsion, solution, and ointment forms.
- Balsam pear (Momordica
charantia L.) is a herbaceous vine. It is a member of the Cucurbitacae
family and is related to squash, melons and cucumbers.This crop is
widely grown in China, India, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan, the US
and, more rarely, in Australia. The most likely place of origin is China
or India.
- Balsam fir grows on a wide
range of inorganic and organic soils originating from glaciation and
generally falling within the acid Spodosol, Inceptisol, and Histosol
soil orders.
- Balsam fir is used primarily
for Christmas trees and pulpwood, although some lumber is produced from
it in New England and the Lake States. The wood is light in weight, low
in bending and compressive strength, moderately limber, soft, and low in
resistance to shock.
- The boughs harvested from
the balsam fir (Abies balsamea) are used in 98 percent of the wreaths
manufactured. Balsam fir grows throughout the forested region of
Minnesota and the northern portions of Wisconsin and Michigan. Balsam
fir also grows throughout Canada including most of Quebec, Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
- The balsam aroma is a
popular fragrance worldwide, particularly in the perfume and fragrance
industries. The U.S. market for the product has been estimated to be
about 18,000 to 36,000 kg annually, valued at about US$325,000 to
$650,000.
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