Snowy Saturday Salve

What better way to spend a snowy Saturday then drinking tea by the wood stove and making an wintery herbal ointment? That's just what happened at last week's Balms Away workshop - where we infused cottonwood buds in oil to make the famous Balm of Gilead. A skin healing preparation filled with rich scented resins perfect for soothing wintery skin. EYA hosted folks in the Strathcona Community Garden's Eco Pavilion. Throw another log on the fire!

Thanks Melissa for bringing Labrador Tea from the Yukon. "Smells like home." She said.

After giving thanks, collecting the Cottonwood tree buds was a group effort. 

The oil changes colour as it infuses with the goodness from the buds.

Straining the oil through cheese cloth to get every last drop!

After adding beeswax,  the mixture can be poured into containers.

Once it cools the salve hardens like a lip balm, ready to use. 

And that's how you make Snowy Saturday Salve!