FWD 2 Expanded Commission E: Poplar bud

Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E

Poplar bud

Latin Name: Populus species
Pharmacopeial Name: Populi gemma
Other Names: balm of Gilead, balm of Mecca, tacamahac

Overview

About 35 species of poplar grow throughout North America, and many are used interchangeably to produce crude drugs and extracts (Hutchens, 1991). Although poplar bark is frequently harvested for medicinal preparation, the buds, which are also called balm of Gilead buds, contain a therapeutically active exudate that is approved by Commission E for the topical treatment of skin injury, hemorrhoids, frostbite, and sunburn. Buds from Populus nigra, P. canadensis, and P. tacamahaca are used therapeutically (Bradley, 1992).

Despite the lack of clinical studies on the efficacy of bud preparations, poplar buds have shown antibacterial and analgesic action and are used in treating upper respiratory infections. Poplar buds are also used as a gargle for laryngitis (Bradley, 1992; Leung and Foster, 1996). The volatile oil has demonstrated expectorant properties (Bradley, 1992).

Native American medicine includes the use of both the buds and the salicylate-rich bark to treat headaches, wounds, and as an astringent for skin conditions (Hutchens, 1991; Moerman, 1998).

Description

Poplar buds consist of the dried, unopened leaf buds of Populus species [Fam. Salicaceae] and their preparations in effective dosage. The herb contains essential oil, flavonoids, and phenol glycosides.

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Constituents include the volatile oils d-cadinene, cineole, AR-curcumene, bisabolene, farnesene, D-a-bisabolol, b-phenethyl alcohol, acetophenone, and humulene; flavonoids (flavones: chrysin, tectochrysin, apigenin, and genkwanin; flavonols: galangin, izalpinin, quercetin, kaempferol, and several methylated derivatives; flavonones: pinocembrin and pinostrobin, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-meth-oxychalcone); and phenolic esters of two types: esters of caffeic acid and esters of isoferulic acid (Bradley, 1992; Leung and Foster, 1996). Other constituents include the glycosides salicin, salicortin, salireposide, and benzoate derivatives, including populin, temuloidin, and tremulacin; resins, n-alkanes, phenolic acids, chalcones, fatty acids, and aliphatic alcohols (Bradley, 1992; Leung and Foster, 1996).

The Commission E reported antibacterial activity and stimulation of wound healing. The antibacterial acitivity is thought to be due mainly to the caffeates, and the expectorant action is attributed to the volatile oils. It has also demonstrated expectorant, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties (Bradley, 1992).

Preliminary investigations into the chemical differences between species and between the buds and the bark indicate that specific constituents and levels of concentration vary enough to effect therapeutic activity. Exploration of the pharmacological actions of P. nigra buds indicate antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and capillary activity of the constituents (Bradley, 1992). Caffeic acids in particular are notably antibacterial (Bankova, 1990). Salycilate glycosides have been isolated from P. tacamahaca buds. The acetyl derivative of salicylic acid is synthesized into aspirin; these particular glycosides are analgesic and anti-inflammatory. They also occur in all preparations of poplar bark (Schulz et al., 1998; Harborne and Baxter, 1993).

Uses

The Commission E approved poplar bud for superficial skin injuries, external hemorrhoids, frostbite, and sunburn. External preparations also soothe and heal other skin conditions and injuries (sores, bruises, cuts, and pimples), and gargling with preparations from poplar bud has been shown to relieve laryngitis (Bradley, 1992; Leung and Foster, 1996).

Contraindications

Sensitivity to poplar buds, propolis, Peruvian balsam, or salicylate.

Side Effects

Occasional allergic skin reactions.

Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

No restrictions known.

Interactions with Other Drugs

None known.

Dosage and Administration

Unless otherwise prescribed: Topical application of semi-solid preparations containing 20-30% of bud exudate.

Ointment: Semi-solid preparation containing 20-30% of bud exudate for external application to the skin.

References

Bankova, V.S. 1990. Synthesis of natural esters of substituted cinnamic acids. J Nat Prod 53: 821824.

Bradley, P.R. (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association.

Harborne, J. and H. Baxter. 1993. Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants. Washington: Taylor & Francis.

Hutchens, A. 1991. Indian Herbology of North America. Boston: Shambala.

Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press.

Schulz, V., R. Hnsel, V.E. Tyler. 1998. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Springer.

Additional Resources

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP).1983. Keighley, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association.

. 1990. Bournemouth, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association.

Goodman, L.S. and A. Gilman (eds.). 1985. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th ed. New York: MacMillan.

List, P.H. and L. Hrhammer (eds.). 19731979. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vols. 17. New York: Springer Verlag.

Mills, S.Y. 1985. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. Wellingborough: Thorsons.

Papay, V. et al. 1986. Isolated compounds from Hungarian propolis and Populi gemma. Studies in Organic Chemistry (23):233240.

Reynolds, J.E.F. (ed.). 1989. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 29th ed. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.

Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex: The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd.

This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E MonographsTherapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.

1) The Overview section is new information.

2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.

3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:

  • Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
  • Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
  • Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
  • Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml

4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.

This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.

Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.