(Healing salves...)

  
Balm of Gilead Salve
(herbal salve for shallow wound skin healing)
  

"Balm of Gilead" is the name for the sticky, brown spring leaf buds of the black cottonwood tree (Populus trichocarpa), common to the area west of the Rocky Mountains. It’s long been used for abraded and chapped skin... Put the sticky buds into a large throw-away can and add enough melted lard to just cover them. Simmer the mixture on low heat for 2-3 hours. Strain it through a throw-away cloth (this stuff won’t clean up!) into sterilized pint or half-pint jars and allow to cool.