balm
n. C / Un. a cream or oil that you put on your skin to heal it or make it feel less painful. It can also mean anything that makes you feel calm and peaceful when you are upset.
n. an aromatic ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin; figuratively, any influence that provides a sense of peace or consolation. Often used in literary contexts to describe emotional relief.
She applied a cooling balm to her sunburned shoulders.
The quiet stillness of the forest acted as a balm for his stressed and tired mind.
The diplomat's measured words served as a necessary balm to the heated tensions that had threatened to derail the peace negotiations entirely.
Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman.
Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to a specific type or container of ointment.