It was probably some sort of saying: Is there no balm in Gilead?
Gilead (east of the Jordan) was known for its balm. The balm was an ointment prepared from the resin of a tree, the mastic tree. The resin was obtained by cutting the trunk or branches. Mixed with oil, balm was mainly used as a medicine for wounds. Here the question arises in the midst of all the misery of God’s people: is there no remedy and is there no physician who can heal? If so, why isn’t my people healing?
22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?