Comments on: A General Guide to Creating an Effective Pain Liniment or Salve

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:51:24 +0000

Usually the resinous buds actually, but the bark can be used as well. Leaves have similar properties but are often significantly weaker.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:41:00 +0000

This may be a silly question, but do you use cottonwood leaves or the bark? I have several cottonwood trees near me and would like to experiment with it in my salves.

Stephanie

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:42:16 +0000

I’m in NM so I don’t have any idea about Eastern Cottonwood, but pretty much all populus species work to some degree or another, especially the bark… if the buds are resinous and aromatic you can use them too.

I don’t think birch buds are very resinous so you’re likely better off just using the bark for a stronger salve. Again, with willow buds, I think you’re better off just using bark.

Thanks for reading.

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:18:52 +0000

Hi Kiva hope you are feeling better. I live in Connecticut and we have Populus deltoides
the Eastern Cotton Wood here. Do you think there is any difference when making salve and what do you think of adding willow buds. From what I am reading adding birch buds will also work, I have black and white birch close by. I love your blog thanks for sharing your knowledge. Donna

By: Cat

Cat — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:17:54 +0000

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply when you’re not feeling well. I will make a test batch when spring finally arrives and let you know how I make out. Feel better soon!

Cat

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:10:43 +0000

Hi Cat,

I love yellow birch and tends to have an appreciable amount of methyl salicylate (you can tell by how strong the wintergreen smell is) which will make it a good pain reliever… I’d think that Aspen bark and Yellow birch bark together could make a really nice pain salve or liniment although I haven’t had the opportunity to try the combo myself (sadly, there’s no birches, although alders are a close relative).

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:55:44 +0000

Kiva, I am a student way up in the Northland, in Quebec where we are still at the 20 below mark and snow over everything. I’m wondering – if spring ever arrives – which aspens or birch I might be able to use? I have a quaking aspen in my yard and birch – both yellow and white. Is there a Northern tree that will simulate the effects of the cottonwood?

Cat, dreaming of spring

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:15:36 +0000

Actually, there’s all kinds of poplars in NC so just take a look around. You can look up the USDA plants site and search for populus in your state, and usually you can even see where the plants are down to a county level. Once you find some where you are, you can look for those that have the most resinous buds, or just use the bark.

Freshly dried buds still work pretty nicely, but fresh is better.

By: frances

frances — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:00:41 +0000

greetings kiva
and an abundance of gratitude for your generosity
in sharing your wisdom, knowledge and beauty
especially with concern to the plants~
i live in the S.E. and do not have experience with populus
i am very curious about learning more and am wondering
if you find the dried form of value,
is it vital enough to make medicine with?
i do not believe we have the cottonwood? here in north carolina?
yet would like to begin to get to know her
thank you for your time

By: Jane-Singing Deer

Jane-Singing Deer — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:03:23 +0000

Thank your for this post! I just started using my cottonwood bud oil, the buds of which I’d left soaking in olive oil (by happy accident!) for two years. The oil is heavenly! I’m off today to collect buds-a-plenty today!

I’m fascinated by the idea of making a salve or liniment combining a couple of other ingredients with the cottonwood bud oil. Do you tincture Rose & Cherry and combine it with the oil?

Again, you’ve widened my horizon of the possible in a way that makes total, beautiful sense!
Gracias,
~Jane

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:00:43 +0000

Hmm, I would think you’d having some in that area…. but you do have the Birch which can be used similarly for many external things. And if you really want some Cottonwood lemme know and I’ll harvest some to send you this coming week.

By: Ananda

Ananda — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:50:21 +0000

I trekked all around today in search of cottonwoods, to no avail. *sigh*. At least it got me out on a beautiful albeit frigid day!