Balasan is a balsam tree. Balm

Essence.
This is an Egyptian tree that grows only in a place called Ain Shams. In leaves and smell it resembles rue, but whiter; its height is the same as the height of the Hudad tree. The oil of the balsam tree is better than its grains, and the grains are in every way stronger than its wood.

Balsam oil is obtained by cutting the tree with a piece of iron after the appearance of Sirius in the sky, and the protruding drops are collected with a piece of cotton; the collection does not exceed a few rittles per year.

Choice.
The best balsam grains are black and hard, the best balsam oil is fresh, and the best wood is red.

Dioscorides says: “Balsamic oil is tested by dropping it into milk, which should curdle, or by mixing it with water, or by separating it from a piece of cotton, or by judging the pungency of its odor. Pine oil and oil from the tree that produces mastic are mixed into it; wax melted in henna oil is also mixed in. The best balm is fresh, but as for thick, old balm, it has no strength.

Nature.
The wood of the balsam tree is hot and dry to the second degree: its grains are somewhat warmer than wood, and its oil is hotter than both. In fact, the balm is at the beginning of the second degree in terms of warmth and does not warm as much as people think.

Actions and properties.
The balm opens blockages and is useful for sore insides.

Wounds and ulcers.
It clears ulcers and removes pieces of periosteum, especially if mixed with orris.

Tools with joints.
The balm, if you drink it, is useful for inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and its decoction is drunk for spasms.

Organs of the head.
It clears ulcers on the head and cleanses the head itself, helps against epilepsy and dizziness.

Organs of the eye.
The balm and its oil remove the veil and sharpen vision.

Respiratory and chest organs.
The wood and grains of the balsam help with pain in the sides, “thick” asthma, shortness of breath, pain in the lungs, and the grains are useful for cold pneumonia and cough; Balsam oil also has the same effect. But in general, the balm is useful for the insides located above the abdomen.

Nutritional organs.
The balm is useful for weak digestion; A decoction of it eliminates digestive disorders, cleanses the stomach and strengthens the liver.

Eruption organs.
The balm drives urine, helps with pain in the intestines, removes wet secretions from the uterus and dries them when applied as a fumigation. It is beneficial for coldness of the uterus, expels the fetus and afterbirth, and also helps, when anointed with it, against all pain in the uterus. A decoction of it opens the mouth of the uterus, and an ointment with balm, rose oil and wax is useful for the coldness of the uterus. The balm is also useful for difficulty urinating.

Fevers.
Balsam oil stops the amazing chills.

Poisons.
The balm counteracts poisons and is useful against viper bites, and its oil, drunk in milk, helps against hemlock poisoning. It is also useful against reptile bites, especially scorpion stings.