In an extraordinary botanical breakthrough, Israeli researchers have successfully revived a 1,000-year-old seed into a living, 10-foot-tall tree.

According to Green Matters, First planted in 2010 and identified fourteen years later, the tree belongs to an extinct species of the Commiphora genus, a close relative of the biblical plant once used to produce a renowned healing balm.

The journey began in the 1980s when archaeologists uncovered an ancient seed during a dig in the lower Wadi el-Makkuk region, just north of Jerusalem. The seed had been buried in a cave nestled in the Judean Desert and preserved for centuries under unique environmental conditions.

For decades, scientists were unable to identify the seed based on its physical traits alone. In a quest to gather more information, it was planted using a fertilizing medium and left undisturbed until it successfully germinated several weeks later.

“About five and a half weeks later, up jumps this nice little shoot,” said Dr. Sarah Sallon, a physician and founder of the Louis L. Borick Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem. That small shoot eventually matured into a fully grown tree under the researchers' care.

A Decades-Long Effort Yields Discovery

The tree continued to grow for years and reached 10 feet in height by 2024. Despite its significant development, the plant did not produce flowers or fruit, complicating efforts for definitive identification.

Images of the tree were distributed worldwide to botanical experts in hopes of narrowing down its origins. While its lack of aromatic properties ruled out one particular plant, it ultimately led to an important scientific insight.

In collaboration with experts abroad, including Dr. Andrea Weeks, an associate professor at George Mason University, researchers conducted advanced DNA sequencing. Dr. Weeks confirmed that the sample did not match any currently known species in the Commiphora genus.

Linked to the Balm of Gilead’s Family

The extinct status of this variety places it closely alongside the species that gave rise to the famous “Judean Balsam,” also known as the “Balm of Gilead.” This ancient resin was highly prized for its fragrance and medicinal properties mentioned in biblical texts.

Dr. Sallon explained the significance of the discovery. “We planted it in 2010 (and) it’s now 2024,” she said. “Why did we wait so long (to publish the research)? Because I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t the Judean Balsam. And how would I definitively know that? By smelling it.”

While the plant did not have the aromatic qualities indicative of the original balsam, its chemical composition revealed other important medicinal potential. Compounds known as guggulterols were present in the tree, also found in Commiphora wightii, a species already recognized for potential cancer-fighting benefits.

Scientific Value Beyond Scent and Seeds

Though the tree cannot recreate the famed scent of biblical times, its medicinal traits make it a valuable resource for modern science. According to Dr. Sallon, this new plant should be seen as “a close cousin” to the ancient remedy source—and one with its benefits.

“Based on all these things, it’s not the Judean balsam,” she clarified. “It’s a close cousin of it, and one of the non-aromatic Commiphora that is a treasure chest of medicinal compounds.”

This makes the tree especially intriguing for modern pharmaceutical research. Aside from its age and genetic uniqueness, the plant’s ability to preserve viable medicinal compounds over centuries may inform broader studies on plant resilience and conservation.

The Longevity of Ancient Seeds

Botanical experts expressed astonishment at the seed’s survival over a millennium. Dr. Louise Colville, a senior researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, called the seed’s ability to germinate after such a lengthy dormancy period “startling.”

No modern counterpart could be used to compare the DNA conclusively, solidifying its status as an extinct species. This detail further highlights the biological importance of protecting ancient and rare flora.

The study documenting the entire effort and its findings was officially published in the journal Communications Biology in September 2024. The publication outlines the identification methodology, DNA sequencing process, and possible applications of the tree's medicinal traits.