How to say "balm" in Japanese

• 芳香ほうこうCommon
  no-adjectiveBalm as a fragrance — a soothing scent in the air, as of flowers or a sea breeze. It names the smell itself, not an applied substance, and is the common word of the three.
  蓮れんの花はなはなんとも言いえない芳香ほうこうをはなっていた。↗

  The lotus blossoms diffused an inexpressibly pleasant scent.
• バーム
  nounThe katakana loanword for balm as a substance or product — something you apply, especially in cosmetics — rather than a scent. Less common than 芳香, it is the choice when you mean the product itself.
• 香油こうゆ
  nounBalm as a perfumed oil or pomade — a scented, oily preparation. For everyday balm products it is seldom the word you want; it really denotes the oil itself, and is less common.

Use 芳香 for balm as a pleasant scent in the air, 「バーム」 for balm as a substance or product, and 香油 for balm as a perfumed oil or pomade.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 芳香ほうこうperfume
• バームbalm
• 香油こうゆpomade