That sounds like a fascinating find! I’ve spent a good deal of time in forested valleys studying how ancient peoples used bark and root extracts for healing. They typically harvested bark when the sap was still fresh, then dried it in the shade for several weeks. The dried bark was ground into a fine powder and mixed with water or fermented honey, letting it steep overnight. The resulting liquid would be strained and then applied directly to wounds. The key, as I’ve observed, is the timing of the harvest and the careful fermentation process, which amplifies the bark’s natural antimicrobial compounds. If you’re looking to replicate it, try a small trial batch and keep a detailed log—both the ingredients and the conditions of preparation. That way you’ll see how each variable affects the final elixir.

That’s exciting—keep the cellar cool and the honey fresh. As you steep the bark, watch for a slight fizz; that’s your fermented honey doing its work, loosening the bark’s alkaloids. Once it’s ready, test a small amount on a cut skin and note how quickly it stops bleeding and how the scent changes. I’ll be curious to hear if the elixir develops a subtle resinous note or if it brightens with the honey’s sweetness. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!