Balsam Poplar

The leaves are dark green on one side and silvery on the other.  It grows in moist soils.  The buds are really sticky.

This tree grows catkins, which are long clusters of tiny flowers.  These are high in vitamin C and can be eaten raw or added to soup or stew (Gray, p. 258).

The Balsam poplar is a member of the willow family. 

If you notice that the leaves are turned over, look out - this is a sign that soon, it will start to rain!

The bark is a source of calories and protien.  The fluid from the bud is made of flavonoids, which are antioxidants.  This fluid has also proven to be antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.  (Marles, p. 248)

The buds can be used to treat skin infections (MacKinnon et al., p. 50).  They help to heal cuts and wounds and for irritated or inflamed tissue such as eczema, burns, cuts, rashes, or irritated nostrils (Gray, p, 257)  The buds contain salicin which gives pain relief (Marles, p. 248).

The leaves have been used to treat sores and aching muscles (MacKinnon et al., p. 50).

The bark can be chewed to relieve colds (MacKinnon et al., p. 50). The inner bark remedies fevers, rheumatism, arthritis, and diarrhea (Gray, p. 257).

Asthma problems in children have been treated with tea made by boiling the bark and sap together (Marles et al, p. 247). The bud tea can help clear respiratory congestion (Gray, p. 258).

Balsam poplar has been used by the Cree as a treatment for diabetes. The inner bark seems to impact how fat cells are formed which relates to Type 2 diabetes (Martineau et al., 2008).  Balsam poplar has also been found to decrease sugar levels in blood. (Foster & Duke, p. 380).