Balm of Gilead

By Denise Alvarado

ccording to an old
Black Spiritual,
"There is a balm
in Gilead to soothe the sin
sick soul." Presented as a
gift to Solomon, Balm of
Gilead was cultivated in
Judea on Mt. Gilead.
Balm of Gilead buds
come from Cottonwood
Poplar or Balm of Gilead
trees in the United States
that produce a resinous,
sticky and tight bud that is
highly aromatic. The
dried, unopened buds of
the poplar tree have been
used in ointments and
skin treatments for at
least 3,000 years. Balm of
Gilead has been effectively

used in compounds for its

antibacterial and anti
in lammatory actions, as
well.
As in the Bible, the use
of Balm of Gilead buds in
hoodoo works include
love, protection from the
malicious meddling of
others,
reconciliation,
mending a broken heart,
soothing troublesome re
lationships and for com
fort. The buds can also be
burned on charcoal to at
tract spirits, carried to at
tract a new love, and
made into an oil of conse
cration. To extract the res
in, crush the buds, cover
with olive oil, and allow to
HoodooAlmanac2013Gazette135

for two weeks to one

sit
month. Be sure to add a
little vitamin E to prevent
rancidity.

For Psychic Healing

To prepare a candle to be
used in psychic healing,
irst rinse it in cold water
and sea salt, and then
anoint it with Balm of Gil
ead oil beginning at the
center working outward
toward both ends.

Love Mojo

ture and decoction form

excellent remedies for
cough, asthma, wheezing,
etc.

Medicinal Syrup

To make a syrup for the

treatment of chest conges
tion, combine equal
amounts of Balm of Gilead
with elecampane, wild
cherry bark and onehalf
part of licorice mixed with
honey. Take a tablespoon
ful as needed.

WARNING: People with
kidney and liver disease,
as well as pregnant and
nursing women, should
avoid the internal use of
Balm of Gilead.

*********

Add 2 Balm of Gilead

Buds, rose petals, violets,
myrrh, cardamom seeds, 2
(He and She) loadstones,
and magnetic sand to a
red mojo bag. Anoint with
Rose Oil. Carry with you
to attract and keep the
love you desire.


REFERENCE

Tincture

Infuse 2 ounces of the

buds in a quart of good
rum, add 4 ounces of sug
ar. Digest for four days.
Take 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls
at a time. It greatly re
lieves cough, pains in the
chest, and other pulmo
nary affections. The tinc
136HoodooAlmanac2013Gazette

McNulty, M. (2005). Balm

of Gilead. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Encyclopedia.com.
Retrieved May 13, 2012
from http://
www.encyclopedia.com/
doc/1G2
3435100073.html