Populus
The poplar and aspen genus
Populus, commonly known as the poplar tree, holds significant medicinal value across various cultures. Its bark is a renowned source of salicin, a natural precursor to aspirin, used historically to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. This versatile plant offers profound therapeutic potential for treating fever and various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Populus
- Family: Salicaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Ultimately, this medicinal species is classified under the genus Populus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Salicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Populus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, belonging to the genus Populus, is known by various names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 杨属 (yáng shǔ), while in Polish, the common name is topla. In the Basque language, it is called Makal, and in Quechua, it is known as Alamu. Additionally, in Occitan, the plant is identified as Pibol.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 杨属 | Wikidata |
| pl | topola | Wikidata |
| eu | Makal | Wikidata |
| qu | Alamu | Wikidata |
| oc | Pibol | Wikidata |
| hu | nyárfa | Wikidata |
| et | Pappel | Wikidata |
| br | Elv | Wikidata |
| el | Λεύκα | Wikidata |
| ba | Тирәк | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Populus, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the northern territories of Finland. The species is also documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the landscapes of Norway.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the poplar, offers therapeutic potential through its various components, specifically the cortex and the folia. The cortex, or the bark of the tree, is historically significant due to its high concentration of salicin, a compound used to alleviate pain and fever. Additionally, the folia, which are the leaves, are often utilized in traditional remedies for their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cortex/folia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Populus has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lignin, galangin, pinocembrin, 3-O-acetyl-pinobanksin, S-adenosyl methionine.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lignin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| galangin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pinocembrin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-O-acetyl-pinobanksin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| S-adenosyl methionine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid phenethyl ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeoyl-coenzyme A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cellulose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chrysin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Populus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Populus has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Helicobacter pylori, cough, peptic ulcers, stomach cancer, yeasts.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stomach cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| yeasts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |