Balsam

Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs.

The exudate is a mobile to highly viscous liquid often containing crystallized resin particles.

Over time and as a result of other influences the exudate loses its liquidizing components or gets chemically converted into a solid material (i.e. by autoxidation).

The Balsam of Matariyya was a substance famous as a panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the Antique and Medieval periods.

In particular, Euphorbia latex ("wolf's milk") is strongly irritant and is cytotoxic.

Balsamum tolutanum, Myroxylon balsamum
Myroxylon , the source of Balsam of Peru and Balsam of Tolu , is a genus of tree grown in Central America and South America . Pictured is Myroxylon peruiferum .