Tree to Apothecary: Community Balsam Processing Weekend

PLEASE READ Make sure to pick the correct day! 

We have been gifted a balsam fir tree, and instead of processing it behind the scenes, we are opening this work to the community.

This is a hands-on herbal processing event where you can learn how one tree becomes many preparations including infused oils, salves, hydrosol, resin preparations, and plant study materials.

This is a working experience, not a lecture. You are welcome to observe, participate, and create preparations alongside us.

We will be working outdoors throughout the day, so please dress for the weather and bring anything you need to be comfortable outside.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own processing kits if they would like to make preparations to take home. This may include jars, oils, apple cider vinegar, alcohol for tinctures, tins, beeswax, tools, and labeling supplies.

If you do not bring supplies, that is completely okay. You are welcome to attend, learn, and bring home balsam material to process on your own later.

To allow more community members the opportunity to participate, we ask that you please choose one day to attend rather than both.

This is a free community event. Registration is required so we can plan space, workflow, and safety.

These moments do not happen often, and we are grateful to share this process together.

WE WILL BE OUTSIDE  PLEASE BRING/ WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING! 

Dorothy’s Herb Shop
Community herbalism in practice

What We’re Making From This Balsam Tree

If you want to fully participate and make everything possible during the weekend, here is the kit I would personally bring.

You do not need all of it.
But this covers full-spectrum processing.

Balsam Infused Oil (Needles + Resin)

What I’d bring:

• 2–3 wide-mouth quart jars

• 16–32 oz olive oil (or preferred carrier oil)

• Knife + cutting board

• Chopstick or spoon for stirring

• Label + marker

This oil becomes:
• salves
• chest rubs
• muscle rubs
• skin preparations

Balsam Tincture (Needles or Resin)

What I’d bring:

• 1–2 pint jars

• 80–100 proof vodka (or preferred menstruum)

• Label + marker

Balsam Vinegar (Optional but Beautiful)

This is excellent for winter formulas.

What I’d bring:

• 1 pint jar

• Raw apple cider vinegar

Optional:

• Honey (if you want to make an oxymel style preparation later)

Hydrosol 

For this, attendees do not need to bring distillation equipment unless they want to contribute.

But helpful:

• Small dark glass bottles for hydrosol

• Dropper bottles

🌿 My Full Personal Kit List

If I were coming prepared to process everything:

Containers:

• 3–5 wide-mouth jars (various sizes)

• 2 small jars for finished oils

• 4–6 salve tins

• 2 dropper bottles

Liquids:

• 32 oz olive oil

• 16 oz alcohol (vodka)

• 16 oz apple cider vinegar

• 2–4 oz beeswax

• Small jar honey (optional)

Tools:

• Scissors or pruners

• Knife

• Cutting board

• Spoon

• Cheesecloth

• Funnel

• Gloves

• Labels + marker

• Notebook

Outdoor Gear:

• Closed-toe shoes

• Work gloves

• Hat

• Layers

• Water bottle

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND HERBALISM TAKES TIME WE WILL START THE PROCESS AT THE SHOP BUT YOU WILL NEED TO FINISH AT HOME!