Page 250 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Quaking Aspen,

Populus tremuloides

Quaking aspen belongs to the Salicaceae (Willow)
Family. It is a deciduous tree native to cooler regions
of North America. It is also known as trembling aspen
and American aspen, It’s one of several species re-
ferred to as aspen. The tree is named quaking because
of its flexible flattened petioles, causing its leaves to
shake in the wind. The leaves turn bright yellow in au-
tumn.

Identification: Quaking aspen is a native tree that
usually grows 20 to 50 feet (15 meters) high with a Rheumatoid Arthritis: Quaking aspen bark con-
rounded crown. tains anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
This is a powerful combination for treating rheumatoid
Its lateral roots may extend out over 100 feet (30 me-
ters), and an aspen grove may all be clones of the orig- arthritis. It can be used externally on a painful joint, as
inal. The bark is usually whiteish in color and is often well as internally.
peeling and thin, becoming thicker and furrowed with Chilblains, Wounds, and Hemorrhoids:
age, especially toward the base of this tree. Its leaves Quaking Aspen Bark Infusion is a good external treat-
are simple, deciduous and are broadly ovate to nearly ment for chilblains, wounds, and hemorrhoids. Appli-
round. They are usually 1 1/2 to 3 inches (7.75 cm to 7.5 cation to the skin reduces swelling, increases blood
cm) long with small rounded teeth on the margins. flow, and disinfects the wound. For an infected wound,
Leaves are dark green and shiny on top and apply a poultice made of crushed roots to the wound
pale green on the underside. The male and hold in place with a clean cloth.
flower (staminate) and female flowers (pis-
tillate) are on separate trees. Flowers of each Respiratory Problems, Coughs, and
type are borne in hanging catkins. Fevers: For coughs, colds, congestion, and other
The small fruits are narrowly ovoid to respiratory problems, try an infusion of quaking as-
flask shaped capsules that are nearly pen bark. It treats coughs and congestion because of
2/10 to 3/10 inches (0.5 cm to 0.75 cm) its anti-inflammatory properties. It also effectively
long. They split to release the seeds. Each seed reduces fevers.
has a tuft of long, white, silky hairs that are Menstrual Problems and Meno-
easily blown by the wind. pause: For menstrual problems and meno-

Edible Use: Like many inner barks, pause, try a combination of quaking aspen and
quaking aspen can be dried and ground black cohosh. The two together act to relieve
into a powder that is added to flour. It pain and cramping, hot flashes, moodiness,
can be eaten raw or cooked in moderate night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations, vag-
amounts and makes a good thickener for inal dryness, and mental fog. They balance the hor-
soups and stews. The sap can be tapped and mones and normalize menstrual cycles. Do not use
used for drinking or as a flavoring. The catkins Black Cohosh for treatment of women with endometri-
can be eaten raw and cooked. osis.

Medicinal Use: It is used to treat wounds, skin Harvesting: Always be careful when harvesting
problems, and respiratory problems and is valued for bark from trees. Bark taken too liberally kills the
its antiseptic and analgesic properties. branch or, if taken from the trunk, it can kill the tree.
Only remove a side branch from the tree, then remove
the bark and dry it for later use.

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