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WILLOW, WHITE WILLOW
Willow bark contains salicin, the chemical that led to the discovery of aspirin. Herbalists prescribe the bark for rheumatic disease, gout, fever, food poisoning, and dysentery.
An ancient remedy, willow bark was one of the original sources of salicin, the chemical that led to the introduction of aspirin, the most widely used pharmaceutical painkiller. A native of Europe, this graceful tree has a silvery-grey bark and long, gently curved, pointed leaves with a slightly downy surface. The flowers appear in early summer.
PARTS USED Bark.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Phenolic glycosides, including salicin, picein, and triandrin with esters of salicylic acid; tannins; coumarins; flavonoids.
ACTIONS Relieves pain; anti-inflammatory; reduces or prevents fever; tonic.
MEDICINAL USE Used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and gout, and in the management of fevers and aches and pains of all kinds. It is also given for food poisoning and dysentery.
PREPARATIONS Infusion, tincture. |
Salix alba (Salicaceae)
