Guest guest Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 White Willow _http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm) Salix alba Common Willow European Willow White Willow Willow _Parts used_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_parts) _Uses_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_uses) _Habitat and cultivation_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_habitat) _Research_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_research) _Constituents_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_constituents\ ) _How much to take_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_how) _Side effects and cautions_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_side) _Applications_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_applications\ ) _Chase-away-your-pain aperitif_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_white_willow.htm#white_willow_recipe) 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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/diarrhea.htm) , gas, _heartburn_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/heartburn.htm) and other general gastrointestinal distress. Stir one tablespoonful of charcoal powder, one teaspoonful of powdered _ginger_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_ginger.htm) 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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/warts.htm) , _corns_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/corns_callusea.htm) and superfluous flesh. " Joint remedy - White willow is an excellent remedy for arthritic and rheumatic pain affecting the back, and _joints_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/joints.htm) 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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/headache_adult.htm) and head pain. _Menopause_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/women/menopause.htm) - By reducing sweating, white willow helps hot flashes and night sweats. Other medical uses - _Osteoarthritis_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/osteoarthritis.htm) 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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/phenols.htm#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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/tannins.htm) , _flavonoids_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/flavonoids.htm) , 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_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/ulcers.htm) . However, white willow is much safer than aspirin. APPLICATIONS BARK: FLUID EXTRACT - Stronger than the tincture; take for rheumatic conditions, headaches, and _neuralgia_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/neuralgia.htm) . TINCTURE - Take up to 15 ml per dose for _fever_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/kids/fever.htm) , or combine with _boneset_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_boneset.htm) , _elder_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_elder.htm) , and bitter remedies like _gentian_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_gentian.htm) . Use with soothing herbs such as _marshmallow_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_marshmallow.htm) root or _plantain_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_plantain.htm) for gastric inflammations and _infections_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/infection.htm) . POWDER - Take in doses of up to 10 g for fevers and headaches; mix with a teaspoon of _honey_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/bp_honey.htm) . DECOCTION Take for feverish chills and headaches, or as part of _arthritic_ (http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/arthritis.htm) 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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