Balsam is a thick, resinous substance that oozes out of plants when they’re cut or crushed, to help close the plant’s wounds and prevent infection. Much like balsam’s purpose in nature, essential oils obtained from balsam can help heal wounds and infections. 

Historically, balsams have been used in religious ceremonies, to symbolize honor, in meditation and as incense. Today, we still use balsams and balsam essential oils for their multi-faceted benefits and grounding aromas. To share our appreciation for these remarkable oils, we’ve compiled a guide of the best balsam essential oils and their benefits, so you can use these oils like an expert. Read on to learn more. 

Top Balsam Essential Oil Uses & Benefits

At Edens Garden, we offer several oils obtained from balsam or resin. While there are exceptions, many oils obtained from the same plant part share aromas and characteristics. Let’s look at what those characteristics are. 

Peru Balsam Essential Oil (Myroxylon pereirae)

Peru Balsam or Balsam Peru is an evergreen tree that grows up to 120 feet and sprouts gorgeous fragrant flowers. The crude balsam of the tree is put through steam distillation to extract the essential oil. Its wonderfully soft, vanilla-like aroma is often used in perfumes and adds a refining touch to blends. 

Native to Central America, our Peru Balsam oil is sustainably collected and distilled by growers in El Salvador. 

BENEFITS & USES

We’ve narrowed down Peru Balsam’s top therapeutic benefits. 

Skincare: Peru Balsam has a maximum recommended dilution of .4%, but that’s not keeping us from taking full advantage of its many skincare benefits, like reducing the appearance of blemishes and promoting clearer, glowing-looking skin. Add 2 drops to 2 tablespoons of your preferred carrier oil and massage onto skin.  

Mood Boost: Warm, sweet, vanilla-like aromas have a way of getting dopamine neurons firing. This is evident when diffusing Peru Balsam or blends with Peru Balsam, because we can’t help but feel happier and motivated when this aroma is in the air! Add 10 drops of Peru Balsam, Vanilla Ylang Ylang or Cocoa Rose to your diffuser, and let the good times roll. 

Cuts & Scrapes: Peru Balsam essential oil is protective and cleansing, making it a good choice for painful cuts and scrapes. Add 1 drop of Peru Balsam to 1 tablespoon of lotion and apply around the affected area. 

Gurjun Balsam Essential Oil (Dipterocarpus turbinatus)

The Gurjun tree’s resin produces a sweet, musky aroma used in countless high-end perfumes and skincare products. Woody and aromatic, Gurjun Balsam essential oil envelops you in a feeling of calm. It works wonderfully as a base note, to anchor blends. It’s often paired with earthy aromas such as Patchouli, Frankincense, Myrrh and Elemi. 

Native to Asia, our Gurjun Balsam is sourced from growers in Indonesia. 

BENEFITS & USES

Gurjun Balsam is rich in several compounds not commonly found in essential oils, lending this oil to have some unique properties. 

Inflammation: Rich in beta-caryophyllene, Gurjun Balsam offers various health benefits such as inflammation and pain relief associated with injury, arthritis, dermatitis, aching joints and more. When added to unscented lotion or carrier oil, Gurjun Balsam can be directly applied to the affected area for quick relief. 

Skincare: A little Gurjun Balsam added to your skincare routine is a luxurious and natural alternative to commercial serums. Gurjun Balsam works to benefit skin with its skin-nourishing natural components and wound healing properties. Add 6 drops of Gurjun Balsam to Rosehip or Argan and apply to your face and neck nightly for maximum benefits. 

Respiratory Support: Along with aiding inflammation associated with injury, Gurjun Balasam promotes deep breathing by expanding airways and clearing mucus with its expectorant properties. Add Gurjun Balsam, along with Eucalyptus to your diffuser for better breathing. 

Copaiba Essential Oil (Copaifera langsdorffii)

Copaiba oil (also known as Copaiba Balsam) has been used as a native folk remedy dating back to the 16th century by the tribes of northeastern Brazil. The balsam and its essential oil are used as fixatives in soap perfumes and fragrances. The resin is burned in ceremonies for physical and spiritual healing, and many forms of the extract can be found in nearly every marketplace in South America.

The copaiba evergreen tree grows up to 100 feet in height and sprouts yellow flowers that are followed by reddish fruit. By drilling holes into the trunk, copaiba resin is extracted. A single tree may offer up to twelve gallons of oil seasonally.

BENEFITS & USES

Reach for Copaiba when facing these common issues. 

Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory benefits of Copaiba oil are well-researched. Studies have shown, Copaiba oil has the ability to reduce inflammation related to injury, autoimmune disease, arthritis and respiratory problems. To apply these benefits to your daily needs, combine 9 drops of Copaiba in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and apply to the affected area.[1]

Pain: Copaiba contains upwards of 50% beta-caryophyllene–a natural analgesic that has been said to share similar effects to CBD oil. What’s more, studies show that beta-caryophyllene becomes more effective with continual use, unlike most drugs in which persistent use can lead to tolerance, reducing its effects. For best use, apply a 3-5% dilution of Copaiba to pain.

Skincare: Aromatherapist Robert Tisserand aptly states that Copaiba essential oil can make your skin happy. He cites that Copaiba releases beta-endorphins, a hormone linked to happiness when applied to the skin. Tisserand goes on to state that it is one of the safest oils to use on the skin and can help soothe irritation and chronic skin diseases, as well as reduce inflammation.[2]

Fir Balsam Essential Oil (Abies balsamea)

Fir trees are majestic in nature and produce a warming, refreshing essential oil. Native Americans first used Fir Balsam for ritual and medicinal purposes. This brilliant essential oil enlivens, awakens and energizes. 

Despite the name, Fir Balsam or Balsam Fir oil is obtained via steam distillation of needles and twigs. But the balsam fir tree is known for producing, sappy, resinous balsam. Still, Fir Balsam shares similar qualities of oils in the balsam plant family. 

BENEFITS & USES

Here’s what we love about Fir Balsam. 

Respiratory Support: Fir Balsam is a great expectorant. So while your home or office space is smelling like a forest of fresh fir trees, you’ll be combatting those seasonal allergies as well. Add 12 drops to your diffuser or essential oil inhaler for maximum relief. 

Pain: Fir Balsam is both soothing and penetrating, thanks to alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, making it the perfect addition to a sore-muscle and joint-massage blend. Add 12 drops to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and apply it to muscles after a day of volleyball on the beach, soccer in the park or a hike in the woods.

Inflammation: High in powerful anti-inflammatory constituents of limonene and alpha-pinene, Fir Balsam is at the top of our list when it comes to swelling. Mix up a few drops of Fir Balsam and a carrier oil and apply to areas of inflammation.

SOURCES: 

1. A Systematic Review of Essential Oils and the Endocannabinoid System: A Connection Worthy of Further Exploration. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246407
2. Copaiba Oil | Did You Know That Copaiba Oil Makes Your Skin Happy? https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/copaiba-oil/