any of several fragrant herbs of the mint family, particularly Melissa officinalis, also called balm gentle, or lemon balm, and cultivated in temperate climates for its fragrant leaves, which are used as a scent in perfumery, as a flavouring in such foods as salads, soups, sauces, and stuffings, and as a flavouring in liqueurs, wine, and fruit drinks. Balm was used in medicinal teas, as a diaphoretic, and in wine drinks by the Greeks and Orientals in ancient times.

The name is also applied to Melittis melissophyllum, bastard balm; Monarda didyma, bee balm, or Oswego tea; Collinsonia canadensis, horse balm; Glecoma hederacea and Satureja (Calamintha) nepeta, field balm; and Molucella laevis, Molucca balm, or bells of Ireland. Aromatic exudations from species of Commiphora (trees and shrubs of the incense-tree family) may also be referred to as balm. Balm of Gilead, or balm of Mecca, is the myrrhlike resin from Commiphora opobalsamum of Arabia. The balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is sometimes called balm fir, or balm of Gilead fir. The balm of Gilead poplar is related to the balsam poplar. Balm of heaven is the California laurel (Umbellularia californica).