Balm vs. Balsam — What's the Difference?

A chiefly Mediterranean perennial herb (Melissa officinalis) in the mint family, grown for its lemon-scented foliage, which is used as a seasoning or for tea. Also called lemon balm.

Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs. Balsam (from Latin balsamum "gum of the balsam tree", ultimately from Semitic, Aramaic busma, Arabic balsam and Hebrew basam, "spice", "perfume") owes its name to the biblical Balm of Gilead.

Any of several related plants in the mint family, such as the bee balm and the horse balm.

Any of several aromatic resins, such as balsam of Peru and balsam of Tolu, that contain considerable amounts of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both, or their esters.

Any of various aromatic resins exuded from several trees and shrubs, especially the balm of Gilead (Commiphora) and related plants in the family Burseraceae.

Any of several other fragrant plant resins, such as Canada balsam.

An aromatic salve or oil.

A similar substance, especially a fragrant ointment used as medication; a balm.

A pleasing aromatic fragrance.

Any of various trees, especially the balsam fir, yielding an aromatic resinous substance.

A soothing, healing, or comforting agent or quality.

See impatiens.

Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.

A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.

A plant or tree yielding such substance.

A plant or tree yielding such substance.

Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.

A soothing ointment.

(figuratively) Something soothing.

Something soothing.

The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis

A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.

Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horse balm.

The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and Hydrocera.

To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

A balsam fir Abies balsamea.

To soothe; to mitigate.

Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.

An aromatic plant of the genus Melissa.

(transitive) To treat or anoint with balsam.

The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs.

A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil.

Any fragrant ointment.

A species of tree (Abies balsamea).

Anything that heals or that mitigates pain.

Anything that heals, soothes, or restores.

To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.

Any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

Any seed plant yielding balsam

Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

Any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes

A fragrant ointment containing a balsam resin