The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the “Balm of Gilead.” Harvest: The best time to harvest the buds is in late winter – typically in January/February – if you wait too long, the buds turn into catkins. Propolis is a glue-like substance that acts to seal off parts the hive, provide structure and prevent disease (due to its antimicrobial properties). In the Natural History of Western Trees, Peattie poetically described the black cottonwood forests in the Columbia Gorge: “And when the great drafts blow up and down the Columbia gorge, the cool indrafts of sea wind or the hot exhaling breath of the interior basin east of the Cascades- they go plowing through the riparian forests. Please see our full privacy disclosure on this page. Catkins appear … Information contained herein is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prescribe. -Devon, Nitty Gritty Mama. trichocarpa (Torr. In the effort to support the content of Nitty Gritty Life, this website includes a few graphic ads and affiliate links for which I may receive a small amount of monetary compensation (based on page views), commissions (based on your purchase), or as a paid sponosrship placement. This plant has no children Legal Status. The cottonwood buds in this salve make it a useful assistant for a variety of ailments. Rub the oil on your hands and feet. Simple Cottonwood Bud Salve. Not so easy. Donations through our secure PayPal account are gratefully accepted. This post contains affiliate links meaning that I may make a small commission based off of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera L. ssp. If you prefer to not use heat, allow the mixture to infuse in a warm spot for at least 6-8 weeks. Barbolian Fields is an Authorized Dealer of Solexx Greenhouse Products & Materials. The active constituents (the biologically active/medicinal parts) are not water soluble, so you wouldn’t be reducing their efficacy in anyway by drying. Thanks and love your site! Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. To make a salve, simply strain the oil through cheesecloth and then thicken it with a bit of melted beeswax. I almost feel guilty for being able to enjoy something so tactile and serene when others live in a world with no concept of such tranquility and beauty. Devon's work outside of NittyGrittyLife.com can be seen at LearningHerbs.com, GrowForageCookFerment.com, AttainableSustainable.net, and in the magazine The Backwoods Home. Leaves: The leaves of a black cottonwood tree grow alternately in a pale green shade, with a leaf size of 2-2.5 inches in length and width. The resin is the sap from the tree. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. Old bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed. Allow the tincture to steep until the liquid become reddish and the cottonwood buds no longer feel sappy to the touch. Cottonwood trees do not have a flower - they produce a catkin. Enjoy 9,000mg of Pure Black Cottonwood Extract, a natural remedy for respiratory relief & bronchitis! I have come here in search of healing. If possible, pick a day after a windstorm that breaks the brittle branches from up high and makes them accessible to us lowly ones on the ground. I have been putting it on my hands and feet lately and it truly is amazing stuff. By the end of the day, we had collected about a half gallon of buds – approximately 2 pounds. If you have a cottonwood grove where you live, you know the amazing aroma the trees give off. Cardiovascular Herbs: Cacao & Damiana Rose Chocolate Hearts. I am not complaining. Wildcrafted cottonwood buds are fragrant and healing. You will feel wonderful. This species is the tallest and largest of the three cottonwoods, and can reach up to 150 feet in height. First is a simple and highly effective balm for pain and wound care called Balm or Gilead. I am an herbalist, farmer, cook, and forager. Hi Leslie! Beavers eat the bark and use stems for dams and woodpeckers nest in old trees. I heard the call of the cottonwood trees this spring. These warming buds can be harvested in late winter and early spring to … Other poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix) species may grow in your area and have similar medicinal benefits, so I encourage you to research for proper identification and usage. Black Cottonwood trees ( Populus balsamifera or trichocarpa) can be found growing along rivers and in moist forests. They are sticky and smell pretty good, sort of a resin odor. I prefer to use the white plastic lids for canning jars as they are solid, but really any lid would probably do as you should only be putting water in to fill part way up the sides of the jar. Like what you read? Identifying Cottonwood: This massive tree grows 150-200 feet tall and can often be spotted towering above alder groves. I have edited the post to indicate that you should use a tightly lidded jar for the crockpot infusion. Black cottonwood is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous tree which can eventually grow to a height of 150’ with a width of 40’. It is one of the largest of some 40 species of Populus and is the tallest, fastest-growing hardwood in the western United States. Habitat Native Range. It is a warmish day for late January; the mountains stand tall in the distance, covered with winter’s blanket. This would be used externally or internally for pain relief, inflammation or fever. This was a really fun post to work on I am hoping to get back out cottonwood picking this weekend before the season gets too advanced. After a careful and thorough rinse, I placed the damp buds on a rimmed cookie sheet that I had lightly greased with coconut oil and parchment paper, then set them in a warm oven for a couple of hours. Follow the same precautions as you would for aspirin. A database that provides information on more than 200 native tree and shrub species, and on almost 300 insects and 200 diseases found in Canada's forests. Click on a place name to … Some of the buds on the branches of the tree are leaf buds, and some are catkin buds. Hope this helps! Pour olive oil over the buds and to within 1 inch of the top of the jar. That said, I weighed mine before and after drying. A database that provides information on more than 200 native tree and shrub species, and on almost 300 insects and 200 diseases found in Canada's forests. Let everything else in the world go for now. Furthermore, alcohol makes for a fast delivery system for the medicinal benefits as it enters the blood stream quickly. About Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) 16 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List; Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. If they are starting to open up into leaves or catkins, it is too late. Black Cottonwood Tree Identification. I have my first batch of Cottonwood buds on the way and I am so excited to use them! Have you had any problems with water getting into your infusion? Thank you so much! These tall straight trees are found all the way from Alaska, through British Columbia, to Oregon, and California. If so, how long and at what temp shall they “bake”? This pot is in an exhibit at the Kansas Museum of History. Black cottonwood trees are important for stream habitats. While cottonwood leds itself to variety of amazing preparations, a simple balm and tincture are easy starting point for even novice herbalist. Fortunately, the Pacific NW (and other parts of the US) have lots of cottonwood stands that are perfect for harvesting in the unspoiled outdoors. A buffalo horn spoon can be seen at the Kansas Museum of History. 99 $149.99 $149.99 Fastest growing northwest native large tree. The tree, a member of the Salicaceae (willow family) can reach to … Black Cottonwood (Populus Nigra) The black cottonwood is a tall tree that produces low-grade timber More commonly found in Europe and Asia, the black cottonwood also grows on the western coast of the US. Learn to harvest the buds and use them to make Balm of Gilead oil. Brayshaw – black cottonwood Subordinate Taxa. The cottonwood buds, collected in January/February, contain a powerful healing resin, often called the “Balm of Gilead.” Cottonwood resin is VERY sticky – and it smells wonderful! I’m late to this cottonwood bud party (both here and in life), so really appreciate the thoroughness of your post. Ok then, just set the jar aside. Nothing brings me back to my childhood like the sticky sweet buds of the cottonwood tree. More for a harder salve; less for soft (4 T beeswax / 1 c oil makes a fairly hard bar). Look out for: the leaves which have a faint scent of balsam. Garden Journal – Do You Have One? The instructions don’t mention anything about covering with cheesecloth or another material. At this point, they were dry enough for storage in a cool, dry place for future use. [table id=12 /], My Wish List 2019 I feel like I am writing to Santa Claus! Gently warm oils together until the coconut oil is completely liquefied. The cottonwood buds in this salve make it a useful assistant for a variety of ailments. Learn to identify, harvest and prepare your own Balm of Gilead and medicinal cottonwood bud tincture! We create ecosystems with herbs, flowers, uncommon fruits, veggies, and other useful plants for bees, birds, and their human friends. The bees use it to make propolis, so you know it must be good. Reddish and heavenly scented, this balm will fix what ails you. Give thanks. In the Landscape: Black Cottonwood is not a good choice for most gardens. Add beeswax pastilles to cottonwood bud infused oil and gently heat until the beeswax dissolves. Well, if I were to get technical about it, the “Balm of Gilead” mentioned in the Bible and that was a precious gift from the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon is something totally different, but this is our Northwest version, which has also been used for centuries. Fastest growing northwest native large tree. Brayshaw – black cottonwood Subordinate Taxa. Preparation of cottonwoods buds or bark with oil, or alcohol can make a natural medicinal product with similar properties to aspirin. The resin is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge, stimulating and expectorant. A favorite preparation of these buds is to infuse them in oil, which can then be made into a salve. This translates to externally incredible wound healing, joint pain reduction (as with arthritis and rheumatism) and chest clearing (as in with a mucousy cough) when applied to the skin as a balm. Nitty Gritty Life is committed to protecting your privacy and data security. This is where the Salicin is found. She has a degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine from the American College of Healthcare Sciences, and her first book, The Backyard Herbal Apothecary, was published by Page Street Publishing in Spring 2019. I am a trained herbalist with a degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, I am not, however, a doctor. Black cottonwood is a large deciduous tree belonging to the willow family (Salicaceae). Today, we are on a quest for the cottonwood – Populus balsamifera – and more specifically, the buds on windfall branches with which to make a healing salve. We walk under the bridge and listen to the cars rumble overhead; no one seems to see us here amongst the brush and brambles and fallen branches. Massive green leaves in a triangle shape that create lush foliage. Frequent small doses are recommended for the best therapeutic benefits. trichocarpa) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California.It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. Devon's second book, The Herbalist's Healing Kitchen, will be published Fall 2019. Thanks for for the kind words. It did not fill the entire jar, which is good. Can’t get enough of this stuff! Our harvest was gathered along the sight of a recent flood, so after some debate, I did decide to rinse the silty residue from the buds before use. The leaves are a food source for insects in the water, the insects are then eaten by salmon and trout. Then the black cottonwood comes into its full beauty, for on one side the leaf … Soak the cottonwood buds in oil to extract medicinal qualities. In the spring, cottony seeds cover the ground; the winter buds are resinous. We are so incredibly privileged to live in a place where all these natural medicines can easily be found right out the back door. Black cottonwood buds Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood) buds. Perhaps I have something on my plant or seed lists that you would like. Black Cottonwood grows along coastal and inland rivers, sometimes being the only tree present in otherwise dry habitats. Balm of Gilead buds are also known as Balsam Poplar or Cottonwood buds. I guess that I missed that when writing out the instructions – so thank you for pointing that out. Leaf buds appear on cottonwood trees in the late winter or early spring. Not that I ever need an excuse to take a walk down to the river – we are fortunate in that the Dungeness is just down the road. They look a little beat up, but they, Pie making season! After Indian traders came to the plains, iron and brass pots were used for cooking. Botanical Name: Populus balsamifera, P. trichocarpa Common name: Black Cottonwood, Balm of Gilead, Western Balsam Poplar Family: Salicaceae (Willow) These cottonwood buds are sustainably hand-harvested in rural mountainous … There is no need to wound any part of the tree; the branches are brittle and easily break off during storms. Taken internally, in tincture form, one can reduce fever and pain, and loosen phlegm. Go to a place of healing; listen to the rippling waters bouncing over stones; regain your sanity for a moment in this crazy world we live in. Cottonwood buds are used to make a Balm of Gilead - reminiscent of the Balm of Gilead in the Bible, though the Biblical balm is made from Myrrh (see earlier Black Bear Herbs Facebook post in December). I use 500 ml canning jars and cover the tops with paper towel secured with canning rings. But I have come here to escape those politics and inequalities. Before long, our fingers are covered with the sticky black stuff and we have collected about a pound. #Honeybee #Weld, This one goes in the dye pot. The 2020 harvest is completely sold. Black Cottonwood grows along coastal and inland rivers, sometimes being the only tree present in otherwise dry habitats. Leaves of mature trees can display a light rust color on the side facing the ground. Reserve your copy of The Herbalist's Healing Kitchen TODAY! Thanks Laura! Cottonwood buds are used to make a Balm of Gilead – reminiscent of the Balm of Gilead in the Bible, though the Biblical balm is made from Myrrh (see earlier Black Bear Herbs Facebook post in December). I love the cottonwoods – and yet I also see their drawbacks. Cottonwood tree identification. The sap oozes out as we break off the buds, putting them in our bags. Twigs are lumpy and brown in colour. Although other tinctures can be made using glycerin or vinegar (for those that are adverse to alcohol), I do not feel like either menstruum is a strong enough solvent to extract the medicinal resin from the cottonwood buds. Jerky Millions of buffalo once lived in Kansas. But for now, please break away from that image – you have your buds and oil in a jar, right? Huff worthy. Cottonwoods draw up so much water from the boggy soil that the fast growing branches and limbs often break off and fall to the ground during high winds. That would be nice for arthritis. It does take a little time and patience to search out and find the fallen cottonwood. (L) denotes seeds that require light to germinate. The most popular color? It is a large tree, growing to a height of 3050 m and a trunk diameter of over 2 m, which makes it the largest poplar species in the Americas. Used internally, cottonwood buds are an excellent remedy for respiratory congestion, particularly in the chest and can help subsequent bacterial infection. You will know when your tincture is ready to strain when it is a dark reddish color and the individual buds no longer feel sappy to the touch, at least 6-8 weeks. Such a gift! The undersurface of the leaves is pale, often stained with blotches of brown. Available fresh-frozen or expertly dried. Laura, So, back to our adventure…  Our first trip out this year yielded a couple sappy, sticky, resinous pounds of the delightfully scented cottonwood buds. We have found a good spot. There is still time to bloom! Gather freely. I also find that if I get the resin on anything, high proof spirits or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol are effective in removal of the resin. cottonwood and balsam buds - resin from buds used to treat sore throat , coughs etc, a balm was also made from cottonwood buds to relieve congestion balsam poplar: bark - boiled as a poultice for wounds, worm medicine; inner bark - food Black Cottonwood can grow up to 45 ft. in the first 7 years and up to 200 ft. tall maximum at mature height. Additionally, due to the aspirin commonalities, one should avoid using with those suffering from chicken pox or that are on blood thinners. Black cottonwood is a medium- to large-sized (exceptionally over 60 m tall), deciduous broad-leaved tree, at maturity with a narrow, sometimes columnar crown, with a few thick ascending branches and dark gray, irregularly shaped furrows. Place alcohol and cottonwood buds in a jar and seal tightly with a lid. Black Cottonwood Infused Oil From Cottonwood Buds Populus Trichocarpa Balm of Gilead Buds Herbal Salve Ingredients Cottonwood Oil Herbal Oil SouthPrairieHandmade. I have done dozens of infusions using this method and have never had a problem with condensation ending up in my oils. Then just wait. For administration, use 1/2 to 1 dropperful (15-30 individual droplets) in a small "shot" of water every 2-3 hours while symptoms persist. An eagle flies overhead; ducks splash about downstream. The buds of the Balsam Poplar tree (P. balsamifera) are pungent and powerful. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. #botanicalcolors #pl, November Gatherings – and a Recipe (sort of), Wild Harvest with Mac Smith: Seaweeds and More from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Garden Burnout, Letting Go, and Grasping the Now, Primer for Planning a Garden for Pollinators, Winter Greenhouse Gardening: Strategies for Survival in an Unheated Space, Water Year 2019 Synopsis: Weathering the Weather, Garden Overwhelm, Equinox, & Finding Balance. we will begin the spring harvest in March, 2021. You can also freeze them for storage too. In the spring, cottony seeds cover the ground; the winter buds are resinous. So when an unseasonably warm and sunny March Sunday afternoon rolled around, husband and I dropped it all for a couple hours and headed to the woods near the river to “gather small bits of witchcraft-ery” as he teasingly calls our wildcrafting adventure…, The resin of cottonwood buds contain a bounty of medicinal properties. The buds of the tree, which are available from fall to late winter, exude a resin that many call “balm of gilead.” What I like to do is make a rich, luxurious balm of gilead oil with the buds. The only caveat I have is that cottonwood trees are often used (in cities) to remediate contaminated soils (because they are phenomenal at it, and grow quickly). As an herbalist, the allure of venturing out into the wild to collect nature’s seasonal offerings is great, even if my time is limited. Color on the jar is it necessary to place the buds more sticky ; a cool day we! Plant add to a fault for late January ; the winter buds … Balm of is. 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