Populus Balsamifera

Scientific Name: Populus balsamifera

Common Name: balsam poplar

Symbol: POBA2

Category: Dicot

Genus: Populus

Family: Salicaceae

Family Common Name: Willow family

Order: Salicales

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta

Kingdom: Plantae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Tree

Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Flower Color: Yellow

Flower Conspicuous: No

Foliage Color: Yellow-Green

Foliage Texture: Medium

Fruit Color: Brown

Edible: No

Young leaves

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Scientific Name: Populus balsamifera

Common Name(s): Balsam Poplar, Cottonwood

Edible: no

Medicinal: yes

Parts Used: stem, leaf

wildWoman
1 Aug, 2008

Cottonwood grows across much of Canada and the US. The leaves and bark have painkilling properties similar to willow and can also be used as a poultice against joint pain and arthritis. Mostly used are the sticky buds though. Collect in late winter when still frozen. The resin is a powerful antiseptic, antioxidant and expectorant. By steeping the buds in warm olive oil, straining the liquid and adding beeswax to thicken, you ca ake Balm of Gilead salve. This helps heal minor cuts and abrasions, is safe to use on animals, and also has a Tiger Balm-like effect when used on a congested nose. Because of the antioxidant properties, i like adding a bit to all sorts of salves as it helps keeping them from going rancid. A tea (not tasty) can also be made from the buds, this will aid bringing up mucus from the lungs in case of a severe cold or bronchitis. Balm of Gilead works also great as a deodorant, lip balm and (for some peole) bug dope.

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Populus balsamifera

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