Black poplar (Populus nigra)

The black poplar is a tree bearing beautiful, has initially dark branches, which later become a gray-green. The leaves are wide at the base and have pads in their armpits. Poplar flowers are dioecious, ie male and female flowers possess, being both grouped in catkins which open early in spring before the leaves come out of the branches. The fruits are capsules hairy. It breeds on the banks of the Pyrenees and across the north. Requires wetlands for development.

FLOWERING

This beautiful tree blooms at the end of winter, almost touching the spring. Folk medicine uses the buds, which are harvested in spring when they are still closed and surrounded by slimy scales. It is recommended to harvest trees and downed or killed, so as to avoid altering the ecosystem and young trees may reach full maturity. The buds, once collected, must be dried quickly, preferably in drying, once the drying process, are kept in closed containers.

APPLICATIONS

The leaf buds of this tree are various resinous materials and a yellowish substance, like odor given off by the chamomile. Furthermore it is also rich in tannins, malic acid, gallic and salicin. For substances in this tree are highly disinfectant and diuretic properties. Its effectiveness against colds, upper respiratory tract is well established. It is soothing, expectorant and sudorific. Since ancient times resinous substance and essence which fingertips smear-added on lard and other substances used to ease the pain of hemorrhoids. Dioscorides in his writings reflected the admirable qualities of this plant to ease the pain: it was used for the famous "oil populea" which was prepared from buds of black poplar along with lard, once macerated mixture was adding fresh leaves of henbane, poppy, evergreen, mandrake, lettuce and violet, all previously crushed. This ointment, which required a patient preparation, serving to temper or relieve pain, especially for hemorrhoids.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. 4 tablespoons in a quart of water. Once hardened, you can take throughout the day, in small cups.
Fluid extract. Pharmacy can be found in the extract of this plant. The dose is approximately 30 to 40 drops, 4 times a day. We can also find syrups, tinctures, ointments for external use, and so on. And from the bark can be prepared charcoal, widely used as adsorbent in diarrhea. Moreover, the black cottonwood is part of some presentations composed of sales in pharmacies.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Saliaceas
HABITAT: Pyrenees and north
FLOWERING: Late Winter
PART USED: Buds and bark
CASTILIAN: Álamo negrillo
CATALAN: Pópul, pollanc, clopa
BASQUE: Eltzum belz
GALICIAN: Choupo negro

USES

Diuretic Moderate, Balsamic Moderate, Mild antiseptic.