Black poplar – Populus nigra
Description of black poplar:
Populus nigra L. Popul Nigra Nigra: black poplar, black cottonwood Poplonia nigra tree reaching a height of 20-25 m with a crown of rounded conical shape. Its leaves are almost triangular, green on both sides, and its buds are shiny. Its anthers are red, its pistils yellow. Stems can grow up to one and a half to two metres thick. Named for the blackish-grey colour of its trunk, it can live up to 200 years. It has a high carbon dioxide sequestration capacity and could therefore significantly reduce the greenhouse effect. Soil contaminated with heavy metals is more easily cleaned by this tree. It provides habitat for several species of insects and symbiotic fungi. It is a tree species that is very resistant to extremes.
Occurrence:
It occurs in the northern hemisphere in places near water bodies and rivers, at the edge of forests, along water banks and along roads (especially along the Mures). It prefers seasonally flooded (floodplains), sandy-loamy soil (not compacted soil). This species is threatened with extinction and is on the World Environment Organisation’s Red List.
Part of the species to be collected:
Buds growing on tree branches from which anti-inflammatory, antibacterial substances are extracted.
Active ingredient:
Essential oil, gum, wax and gum, flavonoids in buds, salicylic acid derivatives.
Collection and drying of black poplar:
The buds, collected prior to polishing, should be dried exclusively in the attic, where they are spread out in a layer 1-2 fingers thick. During drying, the buds should be turned daily with a long bar or inverted rake. Drying continues until the individual buds are easily broken. Flowering time is March-April, dioecious, wind-dusted flowers (cotton-wool-like fluff).
Processing and marketing:
Used to make hair salves and usually processed in cosmetics. It is also made into a tea and used for external treatment of wounds, inflammation of muscles, and as an ointment for haemorrhoids (it can rarely cause an allergic reaction). Its buds and extracts have also been used for upper respiratory tract, urinary tract, prostate infections, as a fever reliever and to increase perspiration, in rheumatism treatments. In the Netherlands, it is used to make wooden shoes (klompenboom), but also heavy metal guitars and snowboard boards. It is well suited for carving, troughs, tubs and match making and pulp production. It was voted tree of the year by German foresters in 2006 Unfortunately, it is threatened with extinction!
Other subspecies:
- Populus nigra subsp. nigra
- Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia
- Populus nigra subsp. caudina
- Populus nigra var. afghanica
Source: Dr. Ferenc Darvas and Dr Gyula Magyary-Kossa,Domestic herbs, their production, marketing, effects and medicinal uses