Populus nigra
Botanical Nomenclature | Populus nigra |
Common Name | Black Poplar |
Taxonomy- Family | Salicaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Populus nigra is a deciduous tree growing from 30 to 40m, with wide, shiny, wavy, green leaves, small flowers in long, pendulous catkins and spreading branches. The flowering takes place in March and the harvesting lasts from March to April |
Region Found | Ioannina (Vikos-Aoos, Pindos) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Bark, flowers, shoots, leaves |
Active Substances | Salicilin, populin (phenolic glycosides), flavonoids, essential oil, tannins, populoside (salicin benzoate), flavone derivatives, gallic acid, alkalis |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea has diuretic properties and it is used against gout, cystitis, bladder's inflammation and rheumatism. Also, it has anti-inflammatory, astringent, sudorific, expectorant and healing properties. It is administered as analgesic for the treatment of muscle and menstrual pain. Finally due to its cholagogue action it can be used to stimulate the digestion and to improve stomach and liver activity. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as diuretic and cholagogue in the form of herbal tea (1 to 2 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 3 times a day) and in the form of infusion (15g of dried flowers in 500mL of boiling water, 3 times a day). It is applied externally to the skin in the form of cream, ointment (made from dried flowers) or tincture (2-4ml, 3 times daily) Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Plant's consumption must be avoided to patients with salicylate sensitivity and to children under sixteen years of age, due to the rare but possible occurrence of Reye's syndrome. Also, must be avoided the simultaneous administration of the plant with other anticoagulants. |
References | 1)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+nigra 2)http://www.botanical-online.com/english/poplar.htm 3)http://www.waldwissen.net/wald/baeume_waldpflanzen/laub/wsl_schwarzpappel/index_EN 4)http://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/poplar/ 5)http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/populus.html |