eastern cottonwood for balm of gilead

Simple question-So I'm looking in to this Balm of Gilead substance, and I see that it's made from the buds of the black cottonwood tree. However, all we have around here is the eastern cottonwood. Will this work, or am I out of luck?

According to Wikipedia, the tree known as balm-of-gilead is actually a hybrid (Populus × jackii) and the parent species are balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) and eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides). Also, eastern cottonwood apparently has resinous buds, and if I got it right that resin is what you're after. I think it sounds promising.

Here's Rosalee's take on balm of Gilead. It's long. She knows a lot about herbs. Identifying trees begins at 13.23. P. deltoides is eastern cottonwood. So, yes, it can be used.

Hello James. As an herbalist I can tell you that you can use the cottonwood buds to make Balm of Gilead salve. You want to harvest the buds before they open and they are sticky so some people wear gloves when working with them. They can also be frozen and used later. To make your oil for salve fill a jar to about 3/4 full and pour olive oil to cover. Put on a lid and set it in a sunny window for 6 weeks shaking daily. Keep an eye out for mold because some of the buds will float to the top, that is why the daily shaking is important. At the end of the 6 weeks strain the oil and add 1/4 cup of beeswax and the oil to a double broiler type set up and warm until the beeswax is melted. Jar it up in small jars or tins. I like to keep mine refrigerated, salve and oil, to extend the shelf life. Oil does become rancid after a while. Make sure that you don't over harvest because the buds are the trees baby leaves.  Hope this helps you out.