Balsam poplar / cottonwood (balm)

Populus balsamifera

Edible plant

Native American

Photo credit: Lynden Gerdes

Toxicity: Topical low risk; salicylate-class cautions internally.

Contraindications: Salicylate/aspirin or bee-product/propolis (Populus-derived) allergy; pregnancy (salicylate, internal).

Interactions: Additive with anticoagulants/NSAIDs (salicylate).

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: salicylate (internal) — caution.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

decoction · inner bark

Part used: inner bark

Evidence:Folk

poultice · leaf buds

Part used: leaf buds

Evidence:Folk

bud-infused oil/salve ('balm of Gilead') · leaf buds

Part used: leaf buds

Traditional use: salve for skin, wounds, burns, chapping, sore muscles; inner-bark/bud decoctions for coughs, colds, pain

Proposed mechanism: buds contain salicylates and phenolic resins (populin, salicin, caffeates) — anti-inflammatory/antimicrobial in vitro

Evidence:Preclinical

Edible parts: Inner bark/cambium is a documented famine food (peeled, eaten in spring); catkins occasionally eaten.

Confirm Populus ID.

Inner bark: emergency carbohydrate; spring cambium has some sugars/vitamin C.

Native American

Sources (2)