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Herb of the week: Willow.

Submitted by Blog - Henriette on 24 November, 2012 - 15:33
Botanical name: 
Salix
Salix nigra

Photo: Salix 20. A short-short profile:

Latin: Salix-species.
Family: willow family, Salicaceae.
Parts used: Catkins, bark, leaf.
Taste: Bitter, astringent.
4 humors: Dry, cold.

Actions:

  • anti-inflammatory
  • very good for various aches and pains
  • the catkins calm down hormonal excesses

Notes:

  • It's a salicylate plant, which means that it'll suppress the immune system just like other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) do. The bark really is quite like aspirin.
  • Internally, I much prefer meadowsweet as a pain killer: that's the salicylates with extra mucilage. That, too, comes with the usual "don't take it if you have a full blown flu!" warning of all NSAIDS.
  • For external use, willow is a tad milder than balm of gilead buds (= sticky poplar buds).

Other uses:

  • Willow whistles.
  • Willow rooting hormone.
  • Willow baskets.
  • Willow fences ...
  • (I'm sure I've forgotten oodles of willowy things here, but ... your turn!)

Experiences:

  • Use the leaf, if you don't have the bark on hand and want a nice soothing hot bath after a day of really using your muscles. The "Ouch, do I have muscles there too?" pains that usually ensue the next day -- won't.
  • Use the bark and/or leaf in your oils and salves for various aches, if you don't have an abundant supply of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) or poplar buds (Populus balsamifera and similar poplar species)
  • Pick the catkins in early spring and tincture them fresh. Use them to curb excessive sex hormones: in puberty, and for oversexed lads and ladies (if they come asking for help for that problem). King's says to use just Salix nigra, but that doesn't grow here, and I don't have any glimmer of a clue of an idea how to differentiate various willow species in their spring catkin stage anyway ... so I've picked all and any I've found.

Comments on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/henriettes-herbal/herb-of-the-week-willow/446137532064350

  • From Astrid A.:
    do not pick too much cause its the bees first food resource.
    30 May at 22:03
  • From Henriette's herbal:
    There is SO MUCH of it. It's impossible to pick too much ... and quite a lot of it is way too high up to pick.
    30 May at 22:04

Comments on the herblist:

http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/herb

None, unfortunately.

Willow is in my upcoming book "Practical Herbs 2". Go get the current volume, "Practical Herbs", if you haven't yet!

Please add your own experiences etc. in the comments.