Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is often used to make the ever-popular Balm of Gilead. Poplar is a common wild edible, medicinal and useful tree in our area. (And some people think it’s trash! Cottonwoods to the south fill the spring air with fluff, which tends to get on peoples nerves for some reason.)
Next month I’ll cover quaking aspen. For today, the focus is balsam poplar, also called Balm of Gilead. Writing about two populus at once was.. interesting. Both resins can be used to make the popular “Balm of Gilead” salve. But the “true” Balm of Gilead is from an exotic plant of the genus Commiphora, a relation of frankincense and myrrh.
Edible Uses of Balsam Poplar
The juicy, sweet inner bark can be eaten in spring and early summer when the sap is running. It rips off in long thick strips. It spoils fast so it needs to be eaten immediately or preserved in fat. On my lot the poplar tree is overabundant, so the porcupines are welcome to saunter in and have at.
The spring sap and young catkins are also edible.
The inner bark is rich in vitamin C.
Medicinal Uses of Balsam Poplar
Balsam poplar is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Integumentary
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, and Expectorant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes the sticky buds harvested around late winter/early spring for the balsam-fir smelling resin. It’s used in cough medicines and in pain-relieving balms. Aforementioned Balm of Gilead! You can make a simple salve by boiling the buds in oil, but that’s only one of many ways. For a quick fix smoke from the sticky young buds can be inhaled, or like fir pitch, just rubbed on your nose* for congestion. *See warnings
Poplar has salicin derivatives for pain relief properties. “Salicin” may make you recall nature’s Aspirin – willow – the original organic source of ASA. Poplars and willows are in the same family.
The bitter bark has also been chewed to relieve colds, and historically used in teas* for TB and whooping cough. *See warnings, always
Like many trees, astringent poplar leaf poultices have been applied to bruises, sores, and aching muscles. Its bark ashes have been used in skin poultices too. You could never run out of natural astringents around here!
Alternative Uses of Bam (for short)
Bees sometimes harvest the resin from balsam poplar and use it to disinfect their hives. Here’s the backup for this claim: Metabolomics reveals the origins of antimicrobial plant resins collected by honey bees.
The wood chips can be used to smoke fish.
Growing Populus Balsamifera
They have shallow wide-spreading roots so don’t plant poplars too close to residences. I’ve seen poplars pop up many yards away from the grove – wide-spreading indeed. It’s also a fast grower. They are easy to transplant. (For appearance’s sake, I prefer quaking/trembling aspen!)
WARNINGS
Like other poplars and willows it contains salicin, so beware if you’re allergic to Aspirin.
The bud resin may irritate sensitive skin.
The bark tea may be somewhat toxic.
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
#ads in References
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Every book I reference that is available on Amazon is linked to with an associates link.
Disclaimer for Song of the Woods
If you require any more information or have any questions about our site’s disclaimer, please feel free to contact us by email at rachel@songofthewoods.com.
Disclaimers for Song of the Woods
All the information on this website – https://www.songofthewoods.com/ – is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Song of the Woods does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (Song of the Woods), is strictly at your own risk. Song of the Woods will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.
From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone ‘bad’.
Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their “Terms of Service” before engaging in any business or uploading any information.
Consent
By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.
Update
Should we update, amend or make any changes to this document, those changes will be prominently posted here.
REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America and this plant IS NOT featured in his book. Which to the least means it isn’t a popular edible. I highly recommend this thorough guide for your bookshelves!
Populus balsamifera Linnaeus – Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN)
Forest Plants of Central Ontario
The Path to Wild Food
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
An Eclectic Guide to Trees East of the Rockies
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts (Native American)
Indian Herbalogy of North America: The Definitive Guide to Native Medicinal Plants and Their Uses
The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published (Dover Cookbooks)
The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home ManualReader’s Digest Magic and Medicine of Plants
Leave a Reply