White Willow

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White Willow

Salix alba

Common Willow

European Willow

White Willow

Willow

 

 

 

 

Parts

used

 

 

Uses

Habitat

and cultivation

Research

Constituents

How

much to take

Side

effects and cautions

Applications

Chase-away-your-pain

aperitif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The willows consist of about 300 species of deciduous trees and shrubs widely

distributed in both hemispheres from the Arctic region to South Africa and

southern Chile. There are numerous hybrids. Of the some 70 North American

species, some 30 attain tree size and form. The tree grows up to 80 feet in

height, but in some parts of the world may only reach 5 or 7 feet tall as a

mere shrub! Its alternate, lanceolate, serrate leaves are ashy-gray in color

and silky on both sides. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees,

appearing in catkins on leafy stalks at the same time as the leaves do.

Activated charcoal powder, made from kiln burned white willow logs, has long

been recommended as an efficient antidote for prescription and over-the-counter

medication for poisonings, diarrhea, gas, heartburn and other

general gastrointestinal distress. Stir one tablespoonful of charcoal powder,

one teaspoonful of powdered ginger root, and 1/2

teaspoon white sugar in one large glass distilled water and drink. Repeat as

necessary.

PARTS USED

Bark, leaves.

USES

Past uses - White willow is astringent and was formerly used to

staunch internal bleeding. In his herbal (1652), Nicholas Culpeper advised that

the burnt ashes of the bark be " mixed with vinegar, [to] take away warts, corns and

superfluous flesh. "

Joint remedy - White willow is an excellent remedy for arthritic and

rheumatic pain affecting the back, and joints such as the

knees and hips. In combination with other herbs and dietary changes, white

willow relieves inflammation and swelling, and improves mobility in painful or

creaky joints. Though aspirin-based conventional medicines are stronger acting,

they can have unwanted side effects.

Fevers & pain - White willow is taken to manage high fevers. White

willow may also be used to ease headaches and

head pain.

Menopause -

By reducing sweating, white willow helps hot flashes and night sweats.

Other medical uses - Osteoarthritis

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to much of Europe, white willow is also found in North America and

Asia, thriving in damp areas, such as on riverbanks. White willow is propagated

from semiripe cuttings in summer or from hardwood cuttings in winter. The trees

are frequently pollarded, and bark is stripped from branches of 2 to 5-year-old

trees in spring.

RESEARCH

Salicylic acid & aspirin - There has been little research into

white willow as a whole, but salicylic

acid, its main active constituent, was first isolated in 1838. It was the

forerunner of aspirin, a chemical medication first produced in 1899. Salicylic

acid has many of the same analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions as aspirin.

It inhibits prostaglandin production, relieves pain, and soothes fevers. Unlike

aspirin, it does not thin the blood. Nor does it irritate the stomach lining -

a common side effect of aspirin.

CONSTITUENTS

White willow contains salicin, tannins, flavonoids,

glycosides.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

A white willow tea can be prepared from 1-2 grams of bark boiled in 200 ml

of water for ten minutes. Five or more cups of this tea can be drunk per day.

Tincture is also used, commonly in the amount of 1-2 ml three times per day.

White willow extracts standardized for salicin content are also

available. The daily intake of salicin is typically 60-120 mg per day.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Long-term use of white willow may possibly cause gastrointestinal

irritation. As is the case with aspirin, white willow should not be used

to lower fevers in children. People who are allergic to aspirin should avoid

white willow. Long-term use of white willow is not advisable, as it may

cause some of the same problems that aspirin does-primarily stomach ulcers. However, white

willow is much safer than aspirin.

APPLICATIONS

BARK:

FLUID EXTRACT - Stronger than the

tincture; take for rheumatic conditions, headaches, and neuralgia.

TINCTURE - Take up to 15 ml per

dose for fever, or

combine with boneset,

elder, and bitter

remedies like gentian.

Use with soothing herbs such as marshmallow

root or plantain

for gastric inflammations and infections.

POWDER - Take in doses of up to 10

g for fevers and headaches; mix with a teaspoon of honey.

DECOCTION Take for feverish

chills and headaches, or as part of arthritic

treatments.

LEAVES:

INFUSION - Drink after meals for

digestive problems.

CHASE - AWAY - YOUR - PAIN APERITIF

 

3 cups (750 ml) Sweet white

wine (Alsatian Muscat, Muscadet)3 T (50 g) Willow bark, dried

and crushed

 

Macerate month. Strain.

Drink 2 T .(30 ml) attacks.

 

Radiating

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