Canada Balsam
OTHER NAME(S): Balm of Gilead, Balsam Canada, Balsam Fir, Balsam Fir Canada, Balsam of Fir, Bálsamo de Canadá, Baume de Galaad, Baume de Galahad, Baume de Gilead, Baume du Canada, Canada Turpentine, Eastern Fir, Fir Balsam, Gomme de Sapin, Résine du Sapin Baumier, Térébenthine, Térébenthine du Canada, Abies balsamea, Pinus balsamea, Balsam, Abies balsamea L, Abias balsamea, Abias balsamea L, Baume Du Canada, Bálsamo De Canadá
Overview
Canada balsam is a plant. People use it for medicine.
People use Canada balsam for burns, sores, cold symptoms, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Canada balsam is also used as a food additive, in manufacturing, and in dentistry.
Canada balsam contains chemicals that kill some types of bacteria and cancer cells.
Canada balsam contains chemicals that kill some types of bacteria and cancer cells.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Hemorrhoids.
- Burns.
- Sores.
- Cuts.
- Tumors.
- Chest pains.
- Cancer.
- Inflammation.
- Use in dental products.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Canada balsam for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Canada balsam is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food. Canada balsam needles and twigs are considered safe for making food flavoring. However, there isn't enough information to know if Canada balsam is safe when taken by mouth in amounts greater than those typically found in foods.
When applied to the skin: Canada balsam is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin. There aren't any known harmful side effects of Canada balsam, but it hasn't been well researched by scientists.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Canada balsam is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food. Canada balsam needles and twigs are considered safe for making food flavoring. However, there isn't enough information to know if Canada balsam is safe when taken by mouth in amounts greater than those typically found in foods.
When applied to the skin: Canada balsam is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin. There aren't any known harmful side effects of Canada balsam, but it hasn't been well researched by scientists.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Canada balsam is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Canada Balsam overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of Canada balsam for use as treatment depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Canada balsam. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Herbal Materia Medica 4.0. website: http://www.herb.com/materia.htm (Acessed 6 August 1999).
- Legault, J., Dahl, W., Debiton, E., Pichette, A., and Madelmont, J. C. 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.
- Pichette, A., Larouche, P. L., Lebrun, M., and Legault, J. Composition and antibacterial activity of Abies balsamea essential oil. Phytother.Res. 2006;20(5):371-373.