Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) has a history of traditional use in North American Indigenous and folk medicine for treating external ulcerations, wounds, and skin conditions. The buds and resinous exudates of the tree were made into salves or poultices and applied topically to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Ethnobotanical records, such as those compiled by Moerman and others, document these uses among various Indigenous groups, often attributing the plant’s effects to its soothing, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The resin contains compounds such as salicylates, flavonoids, and volatile oils, which are believed to contribute to its traditional effectiveness.

However, while there is some in vitro and animal research indicating that extracts from Balsam Poplar buds possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, there are no robust clinical trials validating its efficacy for ulcerations in humans. Most references to its use for external ulcerations are based on historical or ethnobotanical sources, not modern evidence-based medicine. Therefore, its use for this purpose is justified mainly by tradition and empirical use rather than scientific validation.