balm

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
balm /bɑːm/

▶noun

• 1 a fragrant ointment used to heal or soothe the skin.

  ■ something that has a soothing or restorative effect.

• 2 a tree which yields a fragrant resinous substance, especially one used in medicine. [Genus Commiphora: numerous species.]

  ■ used in names of other fragrant plants, chiefly of the mint family, e.g. lemon balm.

– origin ME: from OFr. basme, from L. balsamum (see balsam).