balm

/bɑ(l)m/

/bɔm/

Other forms: balms

If your lips are cracked and dry, lip balm will make them feel better. A balm is a soothing substance with a consistency somewhere between solid and liquid.

The ointment-like consistency is part of what the word balm means. It comes down from the word, balsam, which is a gummy substance that comes from trees. You can use the word metaphorically too. If your mother's cooking always makes you feel better no matter how bad things get, you can say her home cooking has been a balm for you in trying times.

Definitions of balm

1. noun

   semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
   synonyms: ointment, salve, unction, unguent

   types:

   arnica

   an ointment used in treating bruises

   baby oil

   an ointment for babies

   balsam

   an ointment containing a fragrant resin

   carron oil

   an ointment formerly used to treat burns

   cerate

   a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin

   chrism, chrisom, holy oil, sacramental oil

   a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam

   lip balm

   a balm applied to the lips

   mentholated salve

   a salve containing menthol

   mercurial ointment

   an ointment containing mercury

   zinc ointment

   an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases

   camphor ice

   a cerate made of camphor and wax and spermaceti and castor oil

   type of:

   curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic

   a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
2. noun

   any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
   types:

   balm of Gilead

   a fragrant oleoresin

   type of:

   balsam

   a scented sap used in medicines and perfumes