Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Populus deltoides, Populus angustifolia, Populus trichocarpa, Populus balsamifera
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| Common Names: |
Black Cottonwood, Eastern Cottonwood, Fremont Cottonwood, Balm of Gilead, Poplar
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| Key Name: |
Cottonwood
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| Parts Used: |
Buds, bark, leaves, inner bark
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| Sister Plants: |
Willows (Salix spp.), Poplars (Populus alba, Populus balsamifera), Aspens (Populus tremuloides)
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| Comments: |
Versatile tree with ecological and medicinal significance; used globally for millennia
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Large tree (150-200 ft), deeply furrowed grey-brown bark, shiny dark green leaves with silvery undersides, heart-shaped or triangular leaves with coarse teeth, resinous buds in winter, cottony seeds in summer
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| Stem: |
Smooth light grey in young trees, deeply furrowed dark brown with age
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| Leaves: |
Triangular, 3-7 cm, shiny green above, silvery below, coarse crenate-serrate teeth
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| Flowers: |
Catkins (male: reddish, 2-3 cm; female: green, 8-20 cm), bloom March-April
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| Fruit: |
Light green seed capsules, split into 3 valves, release cottony seeds
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| Taste: |
Bitter (bark, leaves), resinous (buds)
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| Odour: |
Sweet, balsamic, pine-honey-like scent from buds
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| Root: |
Extensive, aggressive root system; can sprout from broken roots
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
North America (riparian zones, wetlands, floodplains), Europe, Asia; prefers moist, alluvial soils
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| Cultivation: |
Grows in moist, well-drained alluvial soils; propagates via root sprouts or cuttings; tolerates some salt
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| Harvest: |
Buds: Late winter/early spring from fallen branches; Bark: From fallen limbs; Leaves: Spring/summer
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, astringent
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| Medical Uses: |
Relieves muscle pain, arthritis, swelling, fever, respiratory conditions (bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma), colds, coughs, skin conditions (burns, eczema, cuts), urinary tract infections, scurvy prevention
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| Constituents: |
Salicin (aspirin precursor), salicylates, tannins, flavones, antioxidants, resins
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| Solvents: |
Oil (olive, sesame), alcohol (vodka, brandy), honey
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| Dosage: |
External: Apply salve/oil as needed; Internal: 15-30 drops tincture in water every 2-3 hours; honey: 1 tsp in tea
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| Administration: |
External: Salve, oil, liniment for pain, skin issues; Internal: Tincture, honey infusion, steam inhalation
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| Formulas: |
Combine with arnica, St. John’s Wort for pain salve; usnea, saxifrage, licorice for sore throat spray
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause allergies (skin rashes, respiratory irritation); avoid in aspirin-sensitive individuals; consult healthcare provider before internal use
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| Preparation: |
Infused oil: Cover buds with olive oil, heat low (100-140°F) 2-3 days or steep 6 weeks; Tincture: 2 parts alcohol to 1 part buds
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for chafing sores, swollen horse legs; wash for wounds
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
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| Pollinator: |
1
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, may cause allergies; bees collect for propolis
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Used by bees for propolis; supports pollinator health
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for friction fires, saddle trees, baskets; bark for buckets, fiber; resin as bee propolis; ecological role in air/soil purification
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| Culinary Uses: |
Inner bark historically eaten by Native Americans to prevent scurvy; not common in modern cuisine
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| History: |
Used by Native Americans (e.g., Cherokee for rheumatism, scurvy); European settlers for fever, malaria; Biblical Balm of Gilead reference
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| Reference: |
Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West; NCBI; Herbalremediesadvice.org
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| URL: |
https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/cottonwood-benefits.html
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| Share: |
Private
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