When I lived in Oregon one of my favorite things to do in Spring was to collect Cottonwood Buds to make Balm of Gilead. I havent seen Cottonwood in Finland but her relative Quaking Aspen grows here in abundance. I learned from an Instagram friend named Forest Grace that Quaking Aspen salve has similiar healing properties! So I gave it a go and the scent is very similar to a light Balm of Gilead. Another friend named Anna tried the salve on her knee pain and found it helpful. I will continue making this salve as a connection to Spring and the Poplar trees. Recipe: 3 cups of olive oil into a pot. Pour your fresh Quaking Aspen buds into the oil. You want to pour as many buds as you can fit into the oil. But dont put so many buds that some of them are exposed to air. You want all buds to be submerged in oil. Place this pot into a double boiler and add water to the bottom pot. Bring the water to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 1.5-2 hours. Stir the buds occasionally. Remove the pot of oil and buds, strain out the buds and let cool. Put a spoon into the freezer. Place 3 cups of bud infused oil into a pot. Add 4 ounces of beeswax. Heat on lowest setting on the stove. Stir occasionally to help dissolve the melting beeswax. Once the beeswax is dissolved, take the frozen spoon and dip it into your oil. Wait a few seconds while the oil solidifies on the spoon. Then test the consistency of the hardened oil on the spoon by rubbing it between your fingers. If its too oily add a little more beeswax. If its too solid then add a little more olive oil. Once you have a nice salve consistency, pour the oil into tins. Do not disturb the tins and do not put lids on the tins until the salve is completely set and firm. If you like decoration you can push a quaking aspen bud into the salve just as its setting. Keep your salves stored in a cool or cooler room temperature place. Enjoy!
