Balm of Gilead

 

 

Poplar buds infusing in oil. It's sometimes called "Balm of Gilead", (although I have read that it's a different tree than the one in the Bible). The resin from the poplar (cottonwood) buds makes a good pain salve. I plan to combine it with infused willow bark, whole cloves and cayenne. The poplar resin is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic. It is primarily used to soothe sore muscles, arthritis, skin irritations (eczema, rashes), dry skin, burns, and minor wounds, (this from Google AI). I don't know if I will be selling this at the Farmer's Market. It depends on how much I am able to make. We use quite a bit of it at home. The poplar buds have to be gathered now, before they begin to open, while still covered with the very sticky resin, if it's not already too late. I picked these in the bush 1-1.5 weeks ago. They have been sitting in oil, slightly warmed for the past week. I'll give them a few weeks more, sitting on the heat register, before I make the salve. I still have to source willow bark, when I can get into the nearby woods again. It's so wet right now! The pain salve we are using from last summer, without the poplar buds, works great. With this new addition, it should be even better. I am going to switch from clove oil to whole cloves for the new pain salve, as well. I have read some negative issues with the clove oil. I prefer the "whole herb" approach anyway, using all the phytochemicals in the plants instead of just what is distilled into essential oil.

If you plan to collect your own leaf buds, just pick a few from each branch. If you strip the tree of all it's leaf buds, you might kill it. There's plenty of cottonwoods around in the forest areas to just pick a few here and there. They are very aromatic, smelling a bit like a combination of strong honey, vanilla and alcohol. It's very strong! It scents the whole house when the jar is opened. They are also extremely sticky. You will probably have a hard time getting the resin off of your hands and whatever dish you choose to put them in/on. I think it's worth it. If ever I pick them again, I'll wear gloves, maybe.