OT: White Willow

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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.