National Museum of American History
BALS MECH
18th century
This blown and molded bottle is marked <i>BALS MECH</i>. The bottle would have contained the Balsam of Mecca (or Balm of Gilead); a viscous liquid derived from the tree Balsamodendron opobalsamum. Real balsam of Mecca came from the former Ottoman Empire and was scarce, and boiled balsam leaves were often substituted. The balsam of Mecca was used as an antiseptic, stimulant, and vulnerary.
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