Evidence supporting the use of: White Poplar
For the health condition: Scratches and Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
White Poplar (Populus alba) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. The bark and leaves contain salicylates (compounds related to aspirin), tannins, and flavonoids, which have historically been credited with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and mildly antiseptic properties. Traditional herbalists have employed poultices and topical preparations of White Poplar for treating minor wounds, scratches, and abrasions, mainly to soothe irritation and reduce mild inflammation.
However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. Most of the evidence consists of ethnobotanical records and historical texts rather than controlled clinical trials. The presence of salicylates and tannins does suggest a plausible mechanism for mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which could theoretically support wound healing, but direct scientific studies on White Poplar’s efficacy for scratches and abrasions are lacking. What little pharmacological research exists often extrapolates from the activities of related compounds rather than demonstrating effects with whole plant extracts or clinical subjects.
In summary, the use of White Poplar for scratches and abrasions is rooted in traditional medicine, with some phytochemical rationale but insufficient scientific evidence to strongly validate its effectiveness for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Scratches and Abrasions
aloe verabayberry
beeswax
bisabolol
black walnut
chamomile
turmeric
dyer’s woad root
iodine
Japanese sophora
lauric acid
mucin
protease
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zinc
parthenium
chickweed
paederia foetida
lilac
yarrow
moss
oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
camphor oil
cleavers
wood betony
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
acacia
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Anserina
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Alkanet
Acemannan
Abuta
Alkanna
Bee Propolis
Babchi
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Bleeding Heart
Bridges' Penstemon
Black-Eyed Susan
Blackbrush
Brazillian peppertree
Bisabolene
Bloodroot
Benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
Black Poplar
Bletilla
Barbary matrimony vine
Bush Monkey Flower
Babassu
Black root
Bittersweet
Calochortus
Comfrey
Candleberry
Calotropis gigantea
Cattail
Columbine
Cornflower
Common Thatching grass
Common Zinnia
Cynoglossum grande
Cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Campsiandra angustifolia
Cranesbill
Chinese Thoroughwax
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Castile Soap
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Copaiba Oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
Dragon's Blood
Devil's Club
Dwarf Nettle
Davilla rugosa
Deerbrush
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
European hazel
English Elm
Emu Oil
Elkweed
Eupatorium
Elemi
Oak
Polyvinyl alcohol
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Other health conditions supported by White Poplar
ArthritisBruises (healing)
Cuts
Edema
Inflammation
Injuries
Rashes and Hives
Scratches and Abrasions
Wounds and Sores