After a busy growing season tending to plants and harvesting, and a fall spent digging roots and making remedies, winter’s snow and cold can come as a welcome break for herbalists! We can slow down a little, and curl up with seed catalogues, and all the herbal books we’ve been meaning to read.  But even when tender leaves and flowers have long since gone, and the earth has become to frozen to dig, there are a few plants that can still be gathered, a few more medicines to make.

In Christmas Tree Tea, we looked at the many wonderful uses of Spruces and Pines, and in this article, we’ll explore another of my favourite winter herbs – Cottonwood buds.

Before we begin, a note about winter foraging. With a heavy blanket of snow on the ground, food sources for wild animals and birds are limited, so be aware that what you harvest may well be food for something else -  collect sparingly and ethically.

Cottonwoods (Populus deltiodes) and their close cousins Balsam Poplars (Populus balsamifera) aka Balm of Gilead, are members of the Poplar family, which itself is a part of the larger Willow (Salicaceae) family. Both trees produce buds in the fall that contain next year’s tightly wrapped leaves. This allows them to get a jump on leafing out in the spring but does mean that the trees need to put some effort into protecting the leaves over the winter. They achieve this by coating the buds in a protective resin that keeps the leaves safe from cold damage, and also fungal and bacterial infection.

It is no surprise then, that this resin is rich in medicinal compounds are useful to humans as well. The resin is antimicrobial, making it effective for treating wounds and skin irritations, especially dry and chapped skin. It also contains salicylates—compounds similar to aspirin, which give it pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties useful in soothing sore muscles, easing joint pain, and reducing inflammation. Another benefit of this resin is its beautiful scent –which is also a good way to tell if you have the right tree - if the buds smell like a delicious blend of vanilla and spice, you are on the right track. For more tips on identifying the right species, check out Wild Plant Identification.

Note: Salicylates are similar compounds to Aspirin, so if you have an allergy to this medication, it would be wise to avoid this 

Because the resin is designed to be protective over the cold months, it is medically more potent at this time of year, so it makes sense to harvest it in winter. On a purely practical note, sub-zero temperatures also harden the resin making it much easier to handle. As temperatures rise in spring, the resin becomes sticky and will stick to your skin, your shoes, your dog…. you get the picture.

Cottonwoods tend to like to grow near water, on river banks and lake shores. They are tall trees, growing to over 100 feet, which might cause issues when picking buds, but fortunately, they tend to lose twigs and branches in even a stiff breeze, so the easiest way to harvest is to go out after a winter storm and pick up the fallen buds. This has the added benefit of causing no damage to the tree and means the buds will have fallen into fresh, clean snow, so no washing is needed.

The buds snap off the twigs easily, but it is best to do this outside, as the resin warms up and becomes sticky very quickly indoors. Place the buds directly into a clean dry jar  - don’t use your favourite antique crystal – did I mention that the resin is sticky? The jar is never going to be the same after this.

Once back inside, pour enough oil (olive or avocado are great choices), into the jar to completely cover the buds. The resin prefers a long, slow infusion in a warm place, for at least six weeks. I put my jar next to the wood stove until spring, but on top of the fridge works well too. I like to cover the jar opening with cheesecloth for a week or so before sealing it with a lid, this allows time for any water on the buds to escape, preventing potential problems with mold.

If you are in a hurry, you can put the jar in a hot water bath for an hour or two, but watch it carefully as the resin scorches easily.

When you are ready, strain the oil through a few layers of cheesecloth to remove the buds. To create a soothing salve, combine 5 to 6 parts of the infused oil with one part of beeswax by volume. Heat gently until the wax has melted and pour into jars. The result is a versatile, healing salve that can be applied to sore muscles, dry skin, and minor wounds. If you would like to create a stronger salve for muscle and joint pain, you could combine cottonwood oil with ginger or cayenne-infused oil before adding the beeswax. If you would prefer a vegan-friendly salve, you can use cocoa or shea butter instead. These aren’t quite as firm as beeswax, so increase the amount to 2 or 3 parts.

Cottonwood Buds are a truly lovely winter medicine, with many gifts to impart. Collecting them reminds us to be in tune with the season and the weather; to appreciate even a winter storm. Their slow infusion encourages us to slow down too, to be patient and allow things to develop at their own pace. The soothing oil and balm ease the dryness of winter skin, and gently relieve aches and pains, bringing comfort during the cold and snow.

Rebecca