Black Cottonwood
Populus nigra
Populus nigra, commonly known as black poplar, is a traditional tree found in Europe and Asia. While its use in traditional medicine has not been extensively documented, studies have shown that both drought and heat stress significantly impact seedling performance of the plant, with combined stresses leading to more severe physiological dysfunction and growth suppression. At higher temperatures around 40 °C, Populus nigra exhibits decoupled isoprene emission from net photosynthesis. Notably, brood-protection propolis from honeybees, containing compounds like benzyl caffeate and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, has been shown to protect human skeletal muscle cells from oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, Populus nigra bud extract has demonstrated compositional similarity to European propolis and exhibited antioxidant and anti-biofilm activity. Safety concerns for Populus nigra are currently unrecorded, with no major issues noted. Similarly, there is no recorded evidence of drug interactions involving this plant.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- Both drought and heat stress individually impaired Populus nigra seedling performance, with combined effects leading to more severe physiological dysfunction and growth suppression.
- Isoprene emission decoupled from net photosynthesis at temperatures around 40 °C in Populus nigra.
- The study found that brood-protection propolis from honeybees, containing compounds like benzyl caffeate and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, protected human skeletal muscle cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage.
- Populus nigra bud extract showed compositional similarity to European propolis and demonstrated antioxidant and anti-biofilm activity.
- Populus nigra uniquely induced salicylic acid under combined drought and herbivory treatment, without consistent growth changes across species.
- Nano-polystyrene affected the nutritional quality of leaf litter and benthic algae, influencing the feeding preference of river snails in a concentration-dependent manner.
- The study found that resistant Populus nigra hybrid QB3 upregulated genes involved in α-linolenic acid metabolism and showed increased α-linolenic acid content compared to susceptible hybrid Ta after Asian longhorned beetle feeding.
Frequently asked questions
What is Black Cottonwood?
Black Cottonwood (Populus nigra) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about Black Cottonwood?
7 sourced findings are recorded for Black Cottonwood; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: Both drought and heat stress individually impaired Populus nigra seedling performance, with combined effects leading to more severe physiological dysfunction and growth suppression.
How strong is the evidence for Black Cottonwood?
The strongest finding for Black Cottonwood carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is Black Cottonwood safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for Black Cottonwood in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does Black Cottonwood interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for Black Cottonwood in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of Black Cottonwood?
Black Cottonwood is also known as: Тополь чёрный, Peuplier noir.
Is Black Cottonwood a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 French Propolis Caffeic Acid Derivatives Protect Skeletal Muscle from Oxidative Damages. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Mechanisms of Isoprene Decoupling in Poplar: Precursor Dynamics and VOC Fluxes Under Acute Thermal Exposure and Elevated CO2. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Transcriptomic and metabolomic joint analysis to explore the molecular mechanisms of different resistant poplar varieties in response to the feeding damage of Anoplophora glabripennis. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Nano-polystyrene influences energy flow dynamics in stream brown-green food chains: Evidence from feeding preference shifts of a river snail. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Species-specific, accession-specific, and common responses of foliar phytohormones and morphological traits to drought and herbivory. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Combined effects of drought intensity and heat stress impair physiological performance and recovery capacity in Populus nigra L. seedlings. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Populus nigra Bud Extract as a Standardized Alternative to Propolis: Evidence of Compositional Similarity-Functional Properties of an Oral Spray Containing Populus nigra Bud Extract. literature abstract metadata