Begin with this cottonwood infused oil and then turn the oil into your Balm of Gilead.
Fill a glass jar half full with cottonwood buds.
Pour olive oil over the buds and to within 1 inch of the top of the jar.
Cover with a napkin or coffee filter and a rubber band.
Allow to sit and steep for 6 weeks or up to a year or more. The richer the better!
Make sure your buds are always covered with oil. This prevents them from molding.
The buds may float at first, but they will eventually sink.
Stir or shake the jar every few days for the first few weeks.
Use as an oil or make into a balm or salve (see below).
To use as an oil, decant through a cheesecloth and put oil in an easily-accessible bottle or jar.
For a quicker infusion, place cottonwood buds and olive oil in a double broiler.
Warm slowly and allow to simmer for an hour.
Stir every now and again.
Consider doing this before bed and letting the buds steep through the night.
Strain in the morning.
The longer the steeping time, the better.
Cottonwood Infused Oil https://traditionalcookingschool.com/health-and-nutrition/balm-of-gilead-the-do-it-all-poplar-salve-its-spring-in-a-jar/?utm_campaign=autoblog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=bloglink&utm_content=Balm+of+Gilead%3A+The+%22Do-It-All%22+Poplar+Salve+%7Bit%27s+spring+in+a+jar%21%7D