Balsam Fir

Origins

The Canadian balsam fir tree is better known internationally as the famous Christmas tree. While people are enjoying the festive symbols around this tree, many are not aware of all it can offer. In fact, this «pinacée» offers many more benefits. It was first used by the Canadian natives to heal wounds and cure scurvy and influenza.

The historical uses of the balsam fir by native people of American continent are particularly impressive. This tree was almost essential for all kinds of herbal medicines created by the Native American people, almost every part of the tree supplied a different kind of herbal medicine and it was universally used by all the native population of North America

Traditional medicinal use

A treaty about basic medicinal substance from the Sisters of Charity of Providence, published in 1869, made mention that the mix of balsam fir resin with an egg yolk (to simplify the administration of the dose), was employed against internal worms and to combat stubborn colic or constipation. The balsam tree resin proved to be almost an official drug.

Our American natives, who knew all the secrets of the boreal forest, taught French settlers of Canada all the virtues they knew of the balsam fir gum because it was a great need against influenza, scurvy, cuts, burns and much more. They even clogged the holes in their bark canoe with the tree’s valuable resin. The history of New France says that under Officer Talon, the riders of the wood or trappers collected the balsam fir resin to create a seasonal income. It served to the footwear manufacture and the construction of boats. Jean-Jacques Fortin, passionate lover of forests in Bay St-Paul learned from his father, rider of the woods, how to collect fir resin during summer. He became the ultimate propagator.

Certainly, Quebecers, without the help of the Native Americans and the transmission of the recipes over the years, would not have been skilled to market this product. As testified by our great-grandparents; isolated in their homeland, far from urban centers, they had to rely on remedies close to nature and whose reputation was transmitted by word of mouth. The balsam fir resin or "turpentine of Canada" proved to be an extraordinary remedy.

Now

Collecting balsam fir gum

It can not be done overnight. The task requires great skill, patience and unconditional love of balsam fir, single variety of its kind to provide this incomparable gum. When the weather permits it, the piqueur rises in the tree using a scale artisanal pierces the bark of vesicles with a "Picou, a kind of small vase whose steel serrated beak exercises pressure on the stock market sell leaving a liquid (gum) in the container. The experienced piqueur knows he must punch only large ve treasure sicles in order not to deplete its host tree. When the vase is filled, he puts this yellowish in a large container. Over the days of beautiful weather, the piqueur will have only few liters of that.

http://www.gommesdesapin.com/a_info_piqueurs.htm

The balsam Fir gum

The gum and balsam fir essential oil are withdrawn for several functions today. Indeed, the balsam fir is still recognized as a natural tool with innumerable qualities. An article in the weekly "weekly heat" explained multiple uses of the gum tree in the 21st century: http://www.hebdochaleur.ca/opinion/article/283648

Everything is natural!

When it comes to fir gum in capsules, we must keep it warm so that it does not harden, taking care that the temperature is constant so that it retains all its properties. So when you buy the capsules say, you are assured not only that they are made with care, but also that the substance used is pure, free of additives. From the moment this gum tree is encapsulated you will get a guarantie that laboratory tests have certified its quality.

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