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Black poplar

Traditionally used for: Piles; Chapped or burnt skin; Minor grazes; Aching joints.

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What is Black poplar? Black poplar is a tall European tree, Populus nigra. The part used in folk medicine is the sticky leaf bud, picked in late winter and early spring. The buds smell strongly of balsam and resin. They are turned into ointments, infused oils, tinctures and bud extracts. In France the bud extract is sold as peuplier noir. Most traditional use is on the skin, for piles, sore skin and aching joints. Human evidence for any of this is thin. Long folk use is not proof that it works, and not proof that it is safe. How does Black poplar work? Poplar buds contain salicin. This is a natural cousin of aspirin, and the body turns it into salicylic acid. That gives a plausible reason for the old uses in pain and swelling. But the amount in a cream is small, and no good human trials have tested it. In lab tests, poplar bud extracts slow some inflammation signals in cells. In test tubes they also slow some bacteria and fungi. Whether this happens on human skin is not established. Bees collect poplar resin to make propolis. Much lab work on propolis uses the same poplar compounds. That work does not show that bud ointment helps people. What forms does Black poplar come in? Black poplar is used far more on the skin than by mouth. Ointment or salve. Bud resin blended into fat or wax. This is the classic poplar bud ointment of old pharmacy books. Infused oil. Buds steeped in a plain oil, then strained. Tincture. An alcohol extract. Usually dabbed on skin, less often taken in drops. Bud macerate, sold as gemmotherapy. A glycerine and alcohol extract of fresh buds, labelled peuplier noir. Dried buds. Used in older folk practice for teas and skin washes. Propolis is a separate product. Bees make it partly from poplar resin, but it is not a bud extract. Where it comes from: European folk healers used poplar buds for centuries. The ointment was a stock item in old pharmacies. It was rubbed on piles, chapped skin, minor burns, bruises and stiff joints. Bark and bud teas were taken for fever and joint pain, much as willow bark was. The buds were also sold under the name Balm of Gilead, a label shared by several balsam-scented poplars. Germany's herbal expert committee allowed external use of poplar bud for piles and minor skin injuries. That decision rested mainly on long use, not on trials.

Helps

What does Black poplar help with? Haemorrhoids (piles): This is the best known use. Folk practice applied the ointment to soothe soreness and itching. German herbal reviewers allowed this use on the strength of tradition. No good human trial has tested it, so any benefit is unproven. Minor burns and chapped, cracked skin: The resin and oil base were used to coat and soften sore skin. Much of the comfort may come from the greasy base itself. There is no trial evidence that poplar adds anything. Small grazes and superficial wounds: Poplar bud extracts slow some bacteria in test tubes. That has not been shown to help wounds heal on people. Deep, dirty or large wounds need medical care, not an ointment. Aching joints and muscles: Rubs were used on stiff knees, backs and shoulders. The salicin content gives a plausible reason. Human evidence is missing, and the dose reaching the joint is likely small. Fever and general aches (historical use): Bark and bud teas were drunk for fever, like willow bark. Modern pain and fever medicines are tested and dosed; poplar tea is neither. This old use is not supported by trials.

Black poplar

Quick Facts

  • What it is: A resinous bud from the European black poplar tree, used mainly in skin ointments.
  • Main uses: Piles, Chapped or burnt skin, Minor grazes, Aching joints
  • Active ingredients: Salicin, Populin, Galangin, Pinocembrin, Caffeic acid esters, Essential oil
  • Forms: Ointment or salve, Infused oil, Tincture, Bud macerate (gemmotherapy), Dried buds
  • Time to effect: Soothing feel at once; any real effect within days, if at all.
  • Side effects: Mostly skin rash and allergy; stomach upset if swallowed.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not studied in pregnancy; avoid unless your clinician advises otherwise.

Educational information, not medical advice — ask your doctor or midwife.

What is Black poplar?

Black poplar is a tall European tree, Populus nigra. The part used in folk medicine is the sticky leaf bud, picked in late winter and early spring.

The buds smell strongly of balsam and resin. They are turned into ointments, infused oils, tinctures and bud extracts. In France the bud extract is sold as peuplier noir.

Most traditional use is on the skin, for piles, sore skin and aching joints. Human evidence for any of this is thin. Long folk use is not proof that it works, and not proof that it is safe.

How does Black poplar work?

Poplar buds contain salicin. This is a natural cousin of aspirin, and the body turns it into salicylic acid.

That gives a plausible reason for the old uses in pain and swelling. But the amount in a cream is small, and no good human trials have tested it.

In lab tests, poplar bud extracts slow some inflammation signals in cells. In test tubes they also slow some bacteria and fungi. Whether this happens on human skin is not established.

Bees collect poplar resin to make propolis. Much lab work on propolis uses the same poplar compounds. That work does not show that bud ointment helps people.

What forms does Black poplar come in?

Black poplar is used far more on the skin than by mouth.

Ointment or salve. Bud resin blended into fat or wax. This is the classic poplar bud ointment of old pharmacy books.

Infused oil. Buds steeped in a plain oil, then strained.

Tincture. An alcohol extract. Usually dabbed on skin, less often taken in drops.

Bud macerate, sold as gemmotherapy. A glycerine and alcohol extract of fresh buds, labelled peuplier noir.

Dried buds. Used in older folk practice for teas and skin washes.

Propolis is a separate product. Bees make it partly from poplar resin, but it is not a bud extract.

Where it comes from:

European folk healers used poplar buds for centuries. The ointment was a stock item in old pharmacies.

It was rubbed on piles, chapped skin, minor burns, bruises and stiff joints. Bark and bud teas were taken for fever and joint pain, much as willow bark was.

The buds were also sold under the name Balm of Gilead, a label shared by several balsam-scented poplars.

Germany's herbal expert committee allowed external use of poplar bud for piles and minor skin injuries. That decision rested mainly on long use, not on trials.

Who should avoid Black poplar?

  • Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates.
  • Do not use if propolis, bee products, balsam of Peru or tree resins have ever given you a rash.
  • Never give it to a child or teenager who has a fever, flu or chickenpox, because salicylates are linked to Reye's syndrome (a rare but serious brain and liver illness).
  • Do not take it by mouth if you take a blood thinner (anticoagulant or antiplatelet) such as warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel, unless your doctor agrees.
  • Do not take it by mouth if you have a peptic ulcer (a sore in the stomach lining) or a bleeding disorder.
  • Do not take it by mouth if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; safety is not known.
  • Avoid taking it by mouth if you have kidney or liver disease, unless your doctor agrees.
  • Do not put it on deep, dirty, infected or badly burnt wounds.
  • Do not use it on a child's skin without asking a doctor or pharmacist first.

When should you see a doctor?

Stop using it and get urgent help if your face, lips or tongue swell, or you struggle to breathe. Call emergency services.

See a doctor the same week if a rash spreads, blisters or weeps, or if a wound turns red, hot or oozes pus.

See a doctor if piles bleed, hurt badly, or do not settle in two weeks. Bleeding from the back passage always needs checking.

Is Black poplar legal where you live?

In the UK and EU, black poplar is sold in creams, cosmetics and food supplements, not as a licensed medicine. In the United States it is treated as a supplement or cosmetic ingredient. Products may not claim to treat disease.

Evidence grades and traditional-use labels are explained in our methodology. Nothing here is medical advice.

Remedies related to Black poplar

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