NEW YORK — The biopharma company finalizing an antiviral drug to treat COVID-19, named Gilead Sciences, references the ancient, plant-based “balm of Gilead” that dates back to Bible times and was believed to cure a large variety of illnesses and ailments.

Gilead Sciences is working in clinical trials with the University of Chicago Medicine. Stat News obtained a video of discussion about the trial results, in which faculty members said the drug seemed to be curing novel coronavirus patients of respiratory symptoms and fever in less than one week. 

Markets rose late Thursday and throughout the day Friday as investors reacted optimistically to news that coronavirus lockdowns could end earlier. But most Wall Street analysts and health experts caution that the drug is far from proving effectiveness and reaching required approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The video referenced only one hospital where the trials are taking place, and the evidence is far from definite without a control group of patients that did not receive the drug. 

The balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used as a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal medicine to treat coughs, cuts, wounds and other first-aid ailments.

Some identify the balm as coming from the shrub-like Arabian balsam tree, while others say it came from the turpentine tree, both native to many countries in the Middle East. Western varieties of the balsam tree, like poplars, also became known as “balm of Gilead” trees for their bud’s properties. 

As recently as the 1800’s, many American pioneers relied on the bud for their homemade salves. It could be made many ways: boiling buds in water, alcohol or oil to collect the resin floating to the top to combine into a salve or lotion are the most popular methods.

The balm, produced in the region Gilead that is modern day Jordan, is referenced throughout the Bible as both a medicine and an expensive gift. After throwing Joseph into a pit, his brothers noticed a caravan carrying balm, among other trade items (Genesis 37). In 1 Kings, the balm was one gift among many that Queen Sheba gave to King Solomon. Hebrew merchants carried balm to markets, according to the book of Ezekiel.

Gilead was home to several tribes of the Israelites during Moses’ time before they settled in what is now Israel and Palestine. Gilead, east of the Jordan River, was the birthplace of the prophet Ezekiel and where King David once fled.

The term “balm of Gilead” became popular after William Tyndale translated the Bible into the English King James Bible in 1611 during the Protestant Reformation. The phrase then became a common expression for a universal cure.

While one patient in the University of Chicago trial called the treatment a “miracle drug,” Gilead Sciences acknowledges there is still much to discover about remdesivir, which has not been approved for use anywhere in the world yet. The company is running two studies in the U.S, Europe and Asia.

“In studying remdesivir, the question is not just whether it is safe and effective against COVID-19 but in which patients it shows activity, how long should they receive treatment and at what stage of their disease would treatment be most beneficial,” said Daniel O’Day, CEO and Chairman of Gilead Sciences in an open letter April 10. “Many answers are needed, which is why we need multiple types of studies involving many types of patients.”

Meagan Clark is the managing editor of Religion Unplugged. She previously reported retail and economic news for International Business Times, and human rights and religion stories from India for several outlets like Indian Express, the Wire and Scroll.in. Follow her on Twitter @MeaganKay.