"Phytodolor--effects and Efficacy of a Herbal Medicine." The only way to easily get the resin off is by using high proof alcohol to dissolve it. It can also be difficult to turn because of the silica content and tendency to tear out. There are three major cottonwood species: Populus genus – the eastern cottonwood that comes with several varieties; Swamp cottonwood – also referred to as river cottonwood; Black cottonwood; Cottonwood trees have multiple uses, including the … Sometime around May these fruits erupt, creating a “cottonwood snow storm.” The seeds are covered in a white fluff that helps them to travel on the wind for many miles. moving vans, floors, and walls. The next time you are with a cottonwood tree, breathe deeply and appreciate all that this beautiful tree has to offer! "Phytoremediation of Chlorpyrifos by Populus and Salix." 1 cup of cottonwood oil 1/4 cup of shaved beeswax First, choose a pot or pan that you don't mind dedicating to salve-making, as the medicine will be very difficult to completely remove. I admittedly feel a little weird whenever I share information about the “anti-aging” ability of plants. Some uses are red oak cabinets with cottonwood shelves and also framing … "Allergenic Pollen in the Atmosphere of Kayseri, Turkey." Detailed information on making cottonwood medicine from Ryan Drum. City planners also use cottonwood trees for urban areas because of their hardiness, low maintenance, and ornamental look. The usable portion of the tree measures 31" in diameter x 27 feett x 24" in diameter. Their first trips out of the hive are to the riverside to gather resins from the cottonwoods. Make less salve so I don’t end up throwing the excess away. Whenever you make a product that concentrates the compounds of an edible plant the product may not be edible anymore, use caution if using any concentrated product internally. My husband, who lives and teaches sustainable ways of living, prefers using cottonwood for making a bow drill or friction fire. 9 (2011): doi:10.1021/jf104791t. The ends of the twigs are usually covered with a brown balsam-scented resin. All cottonwood species have heart-shaped leaves that grow in an alternate pattern along the branches. 2. Cottonwood is an amazing preservative. The catkins then grow into green fruits that grow in drupes. Those who received the smoke treatment had better cure rates (66.7% vs. 46.4%) and a dramatically reduced recurrence rate (4.2% vs. 32.2%).9, Numerous studies have been done to determine various Populus species’ ability to clean contaminated soil as well as to increase CO2 sequestration (reducing excess atmospheric carbon that contributes to climate change). Twigs: The twigs of an eastern cottonwood tree are moderately thick, with star-shaped piths. (Sawing and Drying Forum) Phytotherapy research : PTR 23, no. Individual trees are quite variable in staple length and fiber quality, suggesting that varieties that are especially good could be selected for and/or bred. Mention cottonwood benefits to a room of herbalists and I bet you’ll find more than a few people swooning. Again, I dry the buds a bit, fill a jar halfway with the buds, then fill it the rest of the way with alcohol. It’s nice if you have a partner who can pour just a tiny bit in your hands. (Go on the longer side if you live in a damp climate.) To do this, I dry out the buds for a few days to a week. “Populus” means the peoples’ tree. Common Uses: Boxes/crates, veneer, plywood, and various utility purposes. Cottonwood – Salves and Lore. Cottonwood has been used for many things through the years including; shelving, framing, paneling, sub floors, crates, pallets, lowboy decks, saddles, and caskets. It’s unlikely that humans were the first to discover this property of cottonwood. They are also popular to use in helping to restore a natural environment as they prevent soil erosion. http://owic.oregonstate.edu/black-cottonwood-populus-trichocarpa. 4 (2008): doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03571.x. It grows best on moist well-drained sands or silts near streams, often in pure stands. It's always a conversation topic. Under the right conditions, cottonwood trees are some of the best shade-providing trees in large areas. I have just cut down an eastern cottonwood tree. The U.S. alone has 11 species. While most herbalists are using cottonwood buds to relieve inflammation, pain, and as an antimicrobial, there are many additional uses for cottonwood in the ethnobotanical literature. Here, pros discuss aspects of working with the wood. This article will still be here when you get back. Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology / launched by the Allergy and Immunology Society of Thailand 22, no. And the higher quality cottonwood has been used in turning. Wildcrafted cottonwood buds are fragrant and healing. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and the Education Director for LearningHerbs. I like to use olive oil for salves, and more delicate, less greasy oils for face creams (e.g., jojoba, apricot, grapeseed oils). Their trunks were used as dugout canoes. Cottonwood resists moisture much better then pressboard. But most will be dreaming of that memorable heady scent that is unmistakably cottonwood. 2 (2005): doi:10.1111/j.0105-1873.2005.00506.x. ... its not a "mature" tree. Black Cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) | Oregon Wood Innovation Center | Oregon State University. Alcohol also extracts cottonwood resins nicely. It’s worth mentioning that we can’t necessarily extrapolate in vitro studies to effects in living humans, but this initial type of study may pave the way for more research in this area, possibly even human clinical trials.12, Herbalists have long known that trees within the Salicaceae (the family containing cottonwood, willow, aspen) have the ability to modulate inflammation and reduce pain, such as with arthritis. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 59, no. Other Common Uses. The three board were due to the WM bandsaw getting dull. The long sturdy trunks of cottonwoods were made into canoes as well as providing structure for homes. Scientists in Turkey did an interesting study comparing propolis from 6 different locations. To explore the medicinal and utilitarian uses of cottonwood, I’ve broken this article into three sections: how it is being used today, how it was used traditionally, and what science is validating or illuminating about this beloved and ubiquitous tree. Rahimi, Ali Reza, Maryam Emad, and Gholam Reza Rezaian. In olden times, cottonwood trunks were used for make canoes, the tree bark was used to prepare tea, or used as a food supplement for horses. Choose the best herb for you!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. It is frequently made into medicine through infused oils or salves and is also used in perfumery. Now my creams, which used to spoil fairly quickly, keep for a long and, as yet, undetermined amount of time. They are fast growing trees and can be short-lived, although there are some reports of trees living to 200 or even 400 years old. Learn to identify, harvest and prepare your own Balm of Gilead and medicinal cottonwood bud tincture! It does like to move around while drying so make sure you sticker with alot of weight or use ratcket straps to keep it down. To locate a Populus tree near you, head to the nearest river, hardwood swamp, or drainage ditch. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), one of the largest eastern hardwoods, is short-lived but the fastest-growing commercial forest species in North America. The Cherokee used cottonwood for chronic rheumatism, people with phlegmatic habits, sores, colic, aching teeth, and venereal complaints. "Smoke From Leaves of Populus Euphratica Olivier Vs. Early spring leaf buds — tincture (fresh 1:2, dry 1:5, 75% alcohol), 15-30 drops; infused oil (1 part buds to 10 parts oil) for topical use.”15. Pressboard tends to swell, distort, and decompose very rapidly and has no structural value. The other group had their warts treated with cryotherapy (freezing). I never sell Aalto-Korte, Kristiina, Jarmo Välimaa, Maj-Len Henriks-Eckerman, and Riitta Jolanki. "Contemporary Use of Bark for Medicine by Two Salishan Native Elders of Southeast Vancouver Island, Canada." Besides modulating inflammation, decreasing pain, and having preservative qualities, cottonwood is also known for being strongly antimicrobial. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here. The fact remains, however, that the sun can damage the skin and many botanicals can help protect the skin and keep it healthy. I put this jar by the wood stove or in another warm location for a couple weeks, then let it continue to infuse in a dark cool place for several more weeks, up to a year. newsletter where I send my best tips and herbal recipes. Our culture tends to worship the young and pity the old with their wrinkles. The buds are covered in a sticky resin that is highly antimicrobial, which protects the tree from infection. Cottonwood (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is found all over the Pacific and particularly on the east coast of Australia. This is how the tree got its common name of cottonwood. It is easy to carve, making it popular with artisans as well. Herbalists also use the buds and bark of cottonwood to treat aches and pains, skin health and other uses. The wood is coarse and of fairly low value, used for pallet boxes, shipping crates, and similar purposes where a cheap but strong enough wood is suitable. By listing citations of traditional uses of cottonwood, I hope to honor traditional knowledge as well as inspire people to branch out (pun intended) and try different uses of this tree. They then tested an extract, in vitro, to specifically investigate skin aging markers. They mix these resins with their own enzymes and then use this highly antimicrobial glue to line their hive. Mazzio, Elizabeth A, and Karam F A Soliman. Cottonwood trees tend to warp and shrink, and the wood doesn’t have an attractive grain, so the wood is … You want them to be thick with resin but still tightly closed and firm. The Iroquois used cottonwood to kill worms in adults, arthritis, skin eruptions and … There’s a cottonwood for nearly any region, with different hardy types in Zones 2 through 9. We call this thick sticky glue propolis. Cottonwood favors moist, well-drained soil along waterways. Many homeowners looking for large shade trees opt to plant cottonwood (Populus deltoides), which can live 100 years and grow more than 65 feet tall. Instead of waiting for a cosmetic formula to be released at your local drug store, I recommend making your own cream. This scientific name comes from the fact that cottonwood has proved to be so useful over the centuries. Actually, cottonwood oil or salve has many uses and it is often my favorite for a variety of complaints, including minor scrapes or cuts, miscellaneous rashes, and bug bites. This can be taken as a mouth wash (diluted), as a resinous band-aid for wounds, or internally for a variety of infections (I admittedly have less experience with this, but I have included dosage and preparation suggestions from Michael Moore below). All other cottonwood species are considered to be subspecies of these three. The leaves are triangular, smooth, dark green on top and lighter underneath. Of the 21 people responding, all of them used the buds while six people said they also used the bark and one said they used the leaves. Copyright 2010-2020 www.HerbalRemediesAdvice.org by Rosalee de la ForêtAffiliate Disclaimer, Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book. From contributor D: Botanical description: Cottonwood/Balsam poplar is a tree that can grow up to 30-100 feet tall. Practically every part of the cottonwood tree was historically used, whether it was the wood for building, the bark as fiber, or the buds as medicine. Using 75-95% alcohol will give you the best results. Ince, Ali, Levent Kart, Ramazan Demir, and M Sabri Ozyurt. Sprouts and inner bark of the trees were used as a food ingredient. International journal of dermatology 47, no. Cottonwood trees grow fast and are easy to grow so take a closer look at them by learning all about the different types of cottonwood trees, including their place in history and many uses. It turns out that while many people point to cottonwood as the cause of their seasonal allergies, very few people are actually allergic to it and instead are reacting to grasses that release pollen at the same time.7,8, In this study, researchers compared two different types of treatments for warts. In my northern latitude, honey bees hunker down for the winter, finally emerging with the first warm days of spring. “The cottonwood…is a tree particularly sacred to many Indian peoples in the West. It is not meant to diagnose medical conditions, to treat any medical conditions or to prescribe medicine. That supply lasted me for several years. If they exude a sticky aromatic resin, start filling your bag. If you are unable to harvest cottonwood buds. The trees also served as trail markers and meeting places for both Native Americans and early European settlers. "Black Cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) | Oregon Wood Innovation Center | Oregon State University." They are also often used to create windbreaks, becau… Comment from contributor J: I've been spinning cottonwood fiber for years. Uses for Cottonwood. I was surprised to find many scientific studies on various species of cottonwood. Eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), nearly 30 metres (100 feet) tall, has thick glossy leaves. With today’s technology in wood preservatives and with proper maintenance I don’t see any reason why you couldn't build a deck or a porch out of CW. So, while herbalists are using various parts of cottonwood, by far the most commonly used part is the buds. I have asked around but most everybody thinks it’s a junk tree. Those who are allergic to aspirin should avoid plants or trees with salicylic acid, such as cottonwood and willow. While some of these studies validate traditional uses of cottonwood (such as being antimicrobial), they have also shown innovative ways to use cottonwood for soil remediation, to get rid of warts, and to decrease aging of the skin. When you find some, give them a little squeeze. Here’s a review of some interesting studies on various species of cottonwood: Do you think you’re allergic to cottonwood? your information and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. By checking this, you agree to our . A compound called salacin, which is found in the leaves, buds and bark of cottonwood, has been proven to lower fevers and reduce inflammation and pain. This not only smells heavenly, but can also be used to relieve sore muscles, strained muscles, rheumatic pain, and bruises. 1 (2012): doi:10.1080/15226514.2011.560213. Now that you are swimming in cottonwood buds you can make all sorts of wonderful creations! Members of the Poplar family, cottonwoods were important to Native Americans who used all parts of the tree. "Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Poplar Bud (Populus Nigra) Extract: Individual Antioxidant Contribution of Phenolics and Transcriptional Effect on Skin Aging." Every other salve from the same time period had gone rancid, but the cottonwood smelled as divine as the day I had made it. Other medicinal uses of cottonwood bark have been recorded such as treatment of whooping cough, tuberculosis, colds, and intestinal parasites. The Menominee put the resinous buds in fat which was then used in the nostrils for a head cold, and they used a decoction of resinous buds in fat as a salve for wounds. 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