Botanicals With Dermatologic Properties Derived From First Nations Healing: Part 1-Trees

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• First Nations communities possess extensive knowledge of medicinal plants for treating skin diseases.
• Traditional uses of specific trees highlight their historical application in cutaneous healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the dermatologic therapeutic potential of five key trees: western red cedar, white spruce, birch, balsam poplar, and black spruce.
• To identify botanical agents from traditional medicine with current or potential relevance in dermatology.

Main Methods:

• Selection of five trees based on expert recommendations and documented First Nations medicinal use for skin conditions.
• Comprehensive literature search of scientific databases up to June 12, 2014, for relevant studies.

Main Results:

• Western red cedar contains β-thujaplicin, studied for atopic dermatitis.
• White spruce possesses 7-hydroxymatairesinol with anti-inflammatory activity.
• Birch bark shows promise in clinical trials for actinic keratoses and wound healing; balsam poplar is used for anti-aging; black spruce bark is rich in trans-resveratrol.

Conclusions:

• North American traditional medicine offers valuable botanical agents for cosmetic and medical dermatology.
• The review highlights the need for further high-quality evidence to support the dermatologic applications of these traditional remedies.
• This study represents a fraction of the dermatologically relevant plants used by First Nations.