G/P/E: Feminine, Saturn.
Magical attributes: The buds are carried to ease a broken heart and can be added to love and protection charms and spells.
Love, manifestations, protection, healing, de-stressing, and assisting in healing from the loss of a loved one.
Use in love sachets; carry for healing, protection, and mending a broken heart.
Use to dress candles for any form of magickal healing.
Burn to attract spirits.
Also Called: Poplar Buds, Balsam Poplar, Balm of Gilead, Mecca, Mecca Balsam, Balessan, Bechan
Balm of Gilead is a common ingredient of cough medicines, its expectorant, antiseptic and analgesic actions making it an excellent remedy for a range of respiratory problems. It has also been used for several thousand years to soothe inflamed or irritated skin.
The buds are antiscorbutic, antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. They are taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, sore throats, dry irritable coughs and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Externally, the buds are used to treat colds, sinusitis, arthritis, rheumatism, muscular pain, grazes, small wounds and dry skin conditions.
The buds can be put in hot water and used as an inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages.
Internal use of the plant is believed to reduce milk flow in nursing mothers.
The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge.
It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps.
