Canada Balsam

#### Canada Balsam. **Canada Balsam **is a physiological product exuded from the spruce, Abies Balsamea, which grows extensively in Canada and the northern and northwestern U. S. A. According to our definitions (see Part One of this book), Canada balsam is a **Turpentine, **a special type of **Oleoresin**. It consists of a monoterpene-type of essential oil and a resin; it is not a true balsam. The hemlock spruce (**Tsuga**** ****Canadensis**) which grows all over the northern and midwestern U.S.A. also yields an exudation, sold under the name of "Canada Balsam". Canada balsam is a very viscous, non-pourable (except when very fresh), honeylike and crystal-clear mass of pale yellow color, occasionally with a greenish tint. Its odor is fresh, sweet-balsamic with an almost fruity-floral topnote reminiscent of the odor of iso-propyl benzoate, but fresher, at times lemon-like rather than turpentine-like. The dryout bears some resemblance to the dryout notes of Atlas cedarwood oil. On exposure to air, **Canada Balsam**** **slowly solidifies to a glass-like, brittle, transparent lacquer. This ability of **Canada balsam **is exploited in microscopy and in optical instruments where the "balsam" is used to glue lenses into systems, and to glue coverglasses to object glasses. **Canada Balsam **contains more than 20% essential oil. The balance is odorless resin. The essential oil consists almost entirely of monoterpenes and has little perfumery value. Canada balsam is used to a limited extent as a fixative in finer pine needle fragrances to which it also lends a certain freshness. Its high price and limited availability prevents extensive use of this material. The so-called **"Venetian**** ****Turpentine"**** **is used in Europe in place of Canada balsam in low-cost perfumes. Venetian turpentine is derived from a larch tree which grows in central and southern Europe—see: **Larch Turpentine**. See also **Oregon**** ****Balsam.**