Before people bought tubes of Neosporin (TM) and generic imitations thereof, we had cottonwood salve. The cottonwood tree, Populus balsamifera, also called Poplar, grows in wet meadows and along rivers and lakes. Harvest time is late winter and early spring, when the bright orange-red buds are sticky with resin and have a distinctive scent.

The resin contains medicinal compounds with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that, when infused into a salve, can be applied topically to treat sprains, arthritic joints, dry skin, wind and sun burns, minor cuts and acne, according to herbalists.

All natural, made from black poplar buds, olive oil, and beeswax.