Canada balsam

Related Terms

Abies balsam, Abies balsamea, Abies balsamea L. Mill., Abies balsamea var. phanerolepi, alpha-canadinolic resin, alpha-humulene, alpha-pinene, American silver fir, balm of Gilead, balm of Gilead fir, balm of Gilead tree, balsam, Balsam Canada, balsam fir, balsam fir Canada, balsam fir oil, balsam of fir, beta-canadinolic resin, beta-caryophyllene, beta-phellandrene, beta-pinene, blister, blister fir, blister pine, bracketed baksan fir, Canaan fir, Canada turpentine, Canadian balsam, canadinic resin, canadolic resin, caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene oxide gamma, delta-3-carene, Eastern fir, firm balsam, gamma-caryophyllene, monoterpenes, Kloroperka?, piaric acid, Pinaceae (family), Pinus balsamea, Pinus balsamea L., sapin baumler, sesquiterpenes.
Note: Canada balsam is sometimes mistaken for balm of Gilead, a tree in the Populus genus.

Background

Canada balsam is a small-to-medium-sized fir tree native to North America and Canada. Its needles are shiny and dark green on the outside and matte, silvery blue-green on the underside. Canada balsam is sometimes mistaken for balm of Gilead, a tree in the Poplar genus.
Historically, Native Americans have applied Canada balsam to the skin as a poultice to treat burns and wounds. During the Civil War, balm of balsam fir was reportedly used to treat combat injuries. The essential oil of Canada balsam has been used for coughs and colds.
Canada balsam resin is a clear, transparent, and adhesive liquid, with a consistency similar to honey. Purified Canada balsam resin is used as an optical glue, a microscopic prepping agent, and as a fixative and glossing agent in oil painting. Canada balsam resin is also used in combination with other substances in dental procedures. Oils extracted from the resin have been studied experimentally for their antitumor and antibacterial activities. The trunk of Canada balsam also yields oil used for making glassware.
Currently, high-quality trials investigating the use of Canada balsam for any medical condition are lacking.
Canada balsam is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Canada balsam has been taken by mouth as a tea or decoction by boiling three shoots or boiling 5 grams of the inner bark in 250 milliliters of water.
For the treatment of stomach inflammation, three cups of Canada balsam tea has been taken by mouth once daily before meals.
For the treatment of stomach ulcers, Canada balsam capsules have been taken by mouth for 15 days.
For the treatment of urinary tract infections, three cups of Canada balsam tea has been taken by mouth once daily before meals.
Canada balsam decoction and essential oil has been used for a bath.
Canada balsam oil has been applied to the skin for the treatment of bacterial infections, hemorrhoids, and muscle pain.
Canada balsam essential oil may be inhaled or used in a diffuser.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Canada balsam may add to the effects of antibiotics and anticancer drugs.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Gugliotta, P, Pacchioni, D, and Bussolati, G. Staining reaction for beta-galactosidase in immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Eur J Histochem 1992;36(2):143-148.
Humphrey, CD and Pittman, FE. Influence of mounting media on the fading of basic aniline dyes in epoxy embedded tissues. Stain Technol 1977;52(3):159-164.
Keen, CE, Buk, SJ, Brady, K, et al. Fat necrosis presenting as obscure abdominal mass: birefringent saponified fatty acid crystalloids as a clue to diagnosis. J Clin Pathol 1994;47(11):1028-1031.
Legault, J, Dahl, W, Debiton, E, et al. Antitumor activity of balsam fir oil: production of reactive oxygen species induced by alpha-humulene as possible mechanism of action. Planta Med 2003;69(5):402-407.
Orstavik, D. Endodontic materials. Adv Dent Res 1988;2(1):12-24.
Padilha-Goncalves, A. A single method to stain Malassezia furfur and Corynebacterium minutissimum in scales. Rev.Inst.Med Trop.Sao Paulo 1996;38(4):299-302.
Pichette, A, Larouche, PL, Lebrun, M, et al. Composition and antibacterial activity of Abies balsamea essential oil. Phytother Res 2006;20(5):371-373.
Shivapathasundharam, B and Berti, AE. Transparent tooth model system. An aid in the study of root canal anatomy. Indian J Dent.Res 2000;11(3):89-94.
Tveit, AB and Hals, E. Inhibitory effect of a fluoride-containing amalgam on development of cavity wall lesions in vitro. Acta Odontol Scand 1980;38(1):29-39.
Zmener, O, Goldberg, F, and Cabrini, RL. Effects of two gutta-percha formulations and one zinc oxide-eugenol and Canada balsam mixture on human blood monocytes and lymphocytes. Endod Dent Traumatol 1989;5(2):73-77.