Poplar bud – Gemmae populi

Poplar bud – Gemmae populi

Poplar bud description:

Gemmae populi The buds of the poplar tree are taken by pharmacists in small quantities, but the majority of them are harvested by the pharmacists themselves each spring. It is therefore only sold in small quantities and is not a commercial commodity. In particular, the buds of the black poplar(Populus nigra L.) and the balsam poplar(Populus balsamifera L.) are used in medicine, but those of other poplars found in our country can also be used for this purpose. The buds of the poplar tree are pointed conical, 2 cm long and covered on the outside with shiny, brown, prickly scales with a sticky surface. These scales are shiny and stick strongly in spring. In medicine, these buds are known as gemmae populi if they contain volatile oil, fat, resin, salicin, tannic acid, etc.

Medicinal properties of poplar bud:

It is used to make the green ointment of poplar bud(unguentum populeum), which is applied to inflamed places and wounds as a cooling agent, and is also used against gout and hemorrhoids. It is also used to make asparagus spirit, which is applied to bruises and abrasions. Asparagus buds should be collected in February and March, i.e. when their surface becomes sticky. Source: Dr. Ferenc Darvas and Dr Gyula Magyary-Kossa,Domestic herbs, their production, marketing, effects and medicinal uses Béla Páter, Wild medicinal plants, their production, use, distribution, and marketing