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Balm is a very famous type of plant that has been known for thousands of years, since its citations in passages in the Bible. It belongs to the family of Crassulaceae, being herbaceous with succulent leaves and yellow flowers. It can reach a height of 30 to 50 centimeters. The plant is native to South Africa and Asia, and also goes by the names of balsam wood, white balm, red wood, balso, cabraiba, red oil and cabureiba.
Balm Benefits
The balm is known to have fantastic benefits for the skin and also for the internal organism. So much so that, in the Portuguese language, “balm” is used in several expressions and generically designates succulent and fleshy plants that preserve the skin. Balm, therefore, has been studied throughout history and many of its benefits have already been scientifically proven.
Balm Indications
The balm is very suitable for injuries to the skin and internal organs . Its benefits are seen after the results of regular use of the plant in the treatment of wounds in general, bruised with gangrene, ulcers, burns and chilblains. It is also seen as a curative power of diabetes, epilepsy and bronchitis.
Its components make it act as a digestive when consumed, or, externally, as a healing and emollient. For these reasons, it can be used as a treatment for gastrointestinal inflammations or skin inflammation and sprains, such as bruises, and even for respiratory and urinary tract disorders .
Research on Balm
It is important not only to self-medicate with balm , which is a natural treatment, but also to consult doctors and health professionals who may or may not approve the treatment as an adjunct before starting to apply the plant in their daily lives.
The first research with results on the balm dates from 2005, with the species Sedum dendroideum. It has been shown that the active Kaempferol, which is usually found in the leaves of the plant, was able to protect the stomach membranes of rats against inflammation, thus proving its anti-inflammatory power and possible cure for gastritis .
In 2014, another study was carried out with rats, demonstrating that the canferitrin flavonoid present in the balm stimulated the enzyme phosphofrutokinase (PFK) improving the sensitivity of liver cells in relation to the use of glucose, having the effect of controlling blood glucose . This opens the way to also correlate the balm with benefits for diabetics.
And more research was recently published confirming that the balm prevents ulcers induced by alcohol and anti-inflammatory drugs, in this case indomethacin, in rats.
How to Use Balm
The balm can be used in two ways: for external application or for consumption . It depends on what is the disease for which the medicinal plant was indicated. The correct way to use the balm can be seen below.
External Use: Balm Ointment
To enjoy all the benefits of the balm for the skin, the best solution is to prepare an ointment or cream, which can be homemade. It can be either a compound with balm and other plants with antibiotic properties, such as garlic, or one that has only balm as an element.
To prepare the ointment, about 3 or 4 dry leaves of balm are used in a small container for maceration, ideally a disinfected pestle. Then, the leaves are pressed hard by the macerator until they start to become a paste, since they are very juicy. There, the ointment or cream is ready!
It is recommended to apply a sufficient amount of ointment to cover the lesion , such as the burn, wounds with gangrene, etc., once a day after bathing and to lie down afterwards – therefore, use is preferable at night .
Balsam Oil
Also found in industrialized products is the oil extracted from the stem of the balm , which has good moisturizing properties for cosmetics, which help to nourish and repair the skin. The balm is capable of generating cell renewal and skin regeneration , ideal for those with dry skin, blemishes or those who wish to aesthetically smooth the small wrinkles of expression lines or reduce sagging skin.
Pure oil is also effective for moisturizing and deflating burns, diaper rashes, allergies, insect bites, chilblains, corns, bruises like scratches, and even otitis, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores and toothache. It is also found in products such as aftershave lotions , creams for dry hair ends, and makeup remover.
Important: Be sure to consult a nutritionist before incorporating the balm into your diet.
Balsam tea or salad
For internal use, that is, for consumption, the balm can be taken as food or liquid. The simplest is to use it raw, as a salad , from its well-washed leaves, mixing it with the meal you want. But to enhance its therapeutic effects, it can be consumed alone in the fasting break and about an hour before bed.
The balm tea is another form of internal use also being made from the leaves, dried preferably using 3 to 4 leaves i nfusão in boiling water for 5 minutes, and then muffling tea and waiting cool a little for another 5 minutes. It is recommended to drink tea at least twice a day .
Both salad and balm tea maintain their properties and benefits to assist in the treatment of ulcers, respiratory problems such as bronchitis and urinary tract, although the latter are not scientifically proven. The balm consumed in salad or tea can still be tested by diabetics or pre-diabetics for blood glucose control.
See also: Bird Weed
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
