Balsam Poplar

Balsam Poplar is a tree native to Canada, which is found in northern Quebec. It is the only leafy tree in the northern villages able to withstand our winter temperatures. This large tree can measure up to 35 meters in height and can live up to 70 years. Balsam Poplars thrive in moist soils often found at the edge of aqueous environments. It can also grow in sandy soils. In the countryside, it is often planted and used by humans as a windbreak.

The young tree is recognizable by its greenish-gray bark, which gradually turns to gray with age, eventually developing cracks. Its leaves are ovate in shape. They are rounded at the base, then taper into a point at their ends. Dark green in color, they have very small teeth along their edges and can measure between 7 and 12 cm.

In the springtime, a very pleasant smell emanates from these resin-soaked buds. Which earned it its name Poplar Balsam, because not only does it perfume the air with this beautiful smell of sweet resin, but it also gives a balm with very interesting therapeutic characteristics.

Balsam Poplar was highly valued by Native American populations for its medicinal properties. Indeed, it was traditionally mostly used to help with skin problems or lung infections. Although it was also used for more generalized care treatment. The Balsam Poplar has various different advantages, for example, it was also used as a cleanser for hair, as well as clothing made out of deer skin.

The Iroquois used Balsam Poplar for arthritis, skin rashes and even as a laxative. They also made a decoction to give to horses for the treatment of worms.

• http://repertoirequebecnature.com/vasculaires/Populus_balsamifera.html
• https://aimfc.rncan.gc.ca/fr/arbres/fiche/53
• https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/populus/balsamifera.htm
• http://naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/p/populus-balsamifera=balsam-poplar.php
• Frère Marie-Victorin, Rouleau Ernest, Brouillet Luc et collaborateurs, Flore laurentienne 3e édition, Gaëtan Morin Éditeur ltée, Montréal, Canada, 2002.
• Turbide, Michel, L’Aromathérapie, Huiles essentielles du Québec et du monde, Applications thérapeutiques, Édition Santé-Arôme, Collection Santé-Arôme, Otterburn Park, Canada, 2015