Edible Parts: Flowers  Inner bark  Sap
Edible Uses:

Inner bark - raw or cooked[257]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flour[61, 105, 183, 213, 257]. This is normally mixed with other flours for making bread etc and can also be used as a thickener in soups. It is best used in the spring[172]. Sap - can be tapped and used as a drink[105, 161, 183]. It has also been used as a flavouring with wild strawberries[257]. Catkins - raw or cooked. Bitter[172].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Anodyne  Antiinflammatory  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Nervine  
Poultice  Salve  Stimulant  Urinary

American aspen has a long history of herbal use. It was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its antiseptic and analgesic qualities, using it in the treatment of wounds, skin complaints and respiratory disorders[257]. It is used for the same purposes in modern herbalism. The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine and stimulant[4, 61, 165, 213, 238]. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[238]. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains[238]. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use[238]. An infusion of the inner bark is considered to be a remedy for coughs[213] and an appetite stimulant, it is also used in the treatment of stomach pains, urinary ailments, VD, worms, colds and fevers[222]. The root is poulticed and applied to cuts and wounds[222]. A tea from the root bark is used as a treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding[222]. The leaf buds are used as a salve for colds, coughs and irritated nostrils[222]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Populus tremuloides American Aspen for haemorrhoids, wounds & burns (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Pioneer  Wood

A fast-growing tree, it rapidly invades bare areas such as logged woodland and soon establishes dense stands of young trees by sending up suckers[226, 229]. It provides excellent conditions for other species of trees to become established and these will eventually out-compete the poplar[229]. The bark has been used to make hats[257]. The bark has sometimes been used for cordage[257]. Wood - soft, light, weak, close-grained, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion[11, 61, 123, 226, 229]. It weighs 25lb per cubic foot[235]. Not strong enough for furniture or construction, it is occasionally used for fences, railings and barn doors, is excellent for cheap crates and boxes and is widely used for pulp, producing a high quality paper[11, 61, 123, 226, 229].

Special Uses