Carolyn and I just returned from The Garden Conservancy fellows tour in Sun Valley, Idaho. Sun Valley is a high desert and was hot and very dry while we were there.
When we were touring the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, our guide informed us while we were standing in a grove of Aspen trees, that the white powdery substance on the bark of the trunk is a natural sunscreen.
I did a bit of research and this is what I found: According to Google, the aspen tree (Populas tremuloides) also commonly called quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, white poplar, plus many more names, are found in colder regions. The side of the tree that faces the sun “perspires” and gives off a white powder coating (called bloom) that can be used to wipe on the body as a natural sunscreen. In the past, Native Americans used this powder for sun protection.
Not only are the trees beautiful to look at and seem to “dance” in a breeze giving a wonderful musical sound, they are medicinal. In a high wind the rattling leaves can sound like it is raining.
I have worn sunscreen everyday since I can remember and after trying dozens of brands, have found Elta MD Skincare to be my favorite. I use the Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 below.
Because I live in a zone not conducive to growing Aspen trees, I will have to continue applying Elta MD suncreen!
