Salicaceae
balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera L.
Indigenous Names: šáka čháŋ
Traditional Food Use
Lakota
The inner bark is eaten in small pieces or ground into flour and added to soups and stews. The young shoots are also eaten in early spring.
Medicinal Documentation
Lakota
The bark contain salicin, a čhaŋyáȟ’u, šaká noted painkiller and the bark is therefore chewed to treat toothache, or čháŋ, waȟčhíŋča made into a decoction that is drunk to treat headaches, menstrual
Ceremonial & Cultural Notes
Lakota
Cottonwood tree trunks are used to build the framework for Sundance lodges.
Botanical Reference
Parts Documented: bark
Distribution: Native to North American Plains; widespread regional distribution