8/16/2019 Balm of Gilead

1/2

 

Hoodoo Almanac 2013 Gazette 135 

 According to an old

Black Spiritual,

"There is a balmin 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 CottonwoodPoplar 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 beenused 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‐

inlammatory actions, aswell.

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, andmade into an oil of conse‐

cration. To extract the res‐

in, crush the buds, cover

with olive oil, and allow to

Balm of GileadBy Denise lvarado

8/16/2019 Balm of Gilead

2/2

 

136  Hoodoo Almanac 2013 Gazette 

sit for two weeks to one

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 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.

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 teaspoonfulsat a time. It greatly re‐

lieves cough, pains in the

chest, and other pulmo‐

nary affections. The tinc‐

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, wildcherry bark and one‐half

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.

********* 

REFERENCE McNulty, M. (2005). Balm

of Gilead. Gale Encyclope-

dia  of    Alternative  Medi-

cine, Encyclopedia.com. 

Retrieved May 13, 2012

from http://

www.encyclopedia.com/

doc/1G2‐

3435100073.html