GUM Elemi is a white Rosin inclining to be greenish, that flows by Incision from the Trunk and large Branches of a Tree of a moderate Height, whose Leaves are long and narrow, of a whitish green, silver'd on both Sides; with a red Flower that rises from a little Cup, of the Colour of the Leaves, and the Fruit of the Colour and Shape of our Olives; which is the Reason why these Trees are call'd Wild Olive-Trees. There are abundance of these Trees in AEthiopia and Arabia Felix, from whence this Gum is brought us in Cakes of two or three Pounds Weight a piece, wrap'd up in Leaves of the Indian Canes, whence it is call'd Gum Elemi in the Cane. Chuse such as is dry, nevertheless soft, of a white Colour, tending to green; the Smell sweet and pleasant enough. And take care it be not a factitious Turpentine, made up with Oil of Spike, call'd Galipot, as happens too often; which may be easily found out, as well by its great Whiteness, as its ill Smell, inclining to Turpentine; and that it is always wrap'd up in the Leaves which are found among the Clove-Wood.
This Rosin adulterated is call'd, from those who make it, the Americans Gum Elemi, serving them as a good Pretence to cover their Knavery. The true Gum Elemi we have from Holland or Marseilles, is a natural Balsam for curing of Wounds, for which reason it is very properly made use of in Arcaeus his Leniment. There is a large Tree found in the American Islands, the Wood whereof is white, and the Leaves like those of the Bay, but that they are a great deal larger. This Tree is so loaded with Rosin, that it yield to fifty Pounds Weight of white Gum, altogether like the Galipot, only that is not so stinking. And as this Rosin is but as yet little known among the Merchants, tho' common among us; so they often sell this Galipot sometimes for Gum Elemi, sometimes for Gum Animae, and other sometimes for Tacamahaca; so they chiefly call it American Galipot in that the Smell and Shape resemble it, and it is troublesome to distinguish the Difference.
This Rosin comes in Barrels of different Weight, wrap'd up in large Leaves; for which, as yet, we have learn'd no Name. We sell, besides, two other sorts of Gum Elemi; one whereof is like common Rosin, which has neither a sweet nor aromatick Smell, and which is cover'd with Leaves that cling to the Clove-Wood. The other sort of Gum Elemi is of an Ash-Colour, inclining to brown, and in great Pieces that are dry and brittle: But as it is impossible to distinguish the Difference in these two sorts of Gums, I shall say nothing further. Nevertheless I must say, I believe that it is nothing but the impure or soul Gum, which may have its good Qualities recover'd, by refining over the Fire; which I dare not yet affirm, not being certain of it.
Gummi Elemi, five, Resina Elemi, is a kind of gummy and resinous Substance; for it dissolves in Oil, and is inflammable. There are two kinds of it, viz. the true Gum, call'd also, the AEthiopian; and the bastard, or spurious, call'd the American Gum Elemi. The true, or AEthiopian Gum Elemi, is a Rosin from a whitish Colour, a little inclining to a green, moist and rough, run together in Lumps or Clods of a long and round Shape, for the most Part inflammable, of a pleasant Taste, and smelling something like Fennel. Those Lumps are brought over to us wrap'd up in a large Leaf, appearing to be a kind of Indian Reed. Bastard or American Gum Elemi, is a sort of white Rosin, not much unlike Pine Rosin, inflammable, and of a strong Smell, flowing plentifully out of a certain kind of Tree, bearing Leaves like the Bay-Tree, call'd Cleban. Parkinson faith it is a yellowish Gum, clear and transparent, which being broken, shows more white and gummy within, quickly taking Fire, and melting thereat, and of a kind of quick Scent and Taste. If it is like Ammoniacum, or Gum-Arabick, or is black, it is good for little or nothing. This Gum is of singular Use in all Wounds and Fractures of the Head and Skull, and to be mix'd with Leniments and Balsams for that Purpose. It it also-emollient, digestive, and is anodyne, discusses Tumours, and opens Obstructions. The Spirit, Oil, and Balsam are distill'd by the Retort in Sand, as hath been taught. The acid Spirit, which contains the volatile Salt of the mix'd, suppresses Vapours and Fits of the Mother, opens the Passages of the Urine, tempers the Heat thereof, prevents breeding of the Stone, and is a good Pectoral. The Oil and Balsam are accounted, by some, specifical in the Gout, Palsy, and Convulsions. They cure Ulcers, chiefly of the Fundament, heal aad cleanse all Wounds, &c. as well old as new, easing Pain, resolving Confusions, and discussing Swellings.