White willow (Salix alba) has long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of joint diseases. One of the first anti-inflammatory drugs that was used to treat rheumatism was aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid. Salicylic acid and its derivatives got their name from scientific name willow, since it was from its bark that they were first synthesized.
To treat joint diseases, willow bark is used, which is collected from trees 6-7 years old at the time of sap flow, but before flowering. The bark is cut into pieces and dried in the sun, and then it is ripened in an oven or dryer at a temperature of 45-55 degrees C. Properly dried medicinal raw materials should break easily and not bend. It can be stored in cardboard boxes for up to 4 years.
Willow bark is a biological treasure trove active substances. It contains tannins, flavones, vitamins, glycosides, various mineral compounds Traditional medicine recommends a decoction of willow bark for diseases gastrointestinal tract, malaria, rheumatism, arthritis, deforming osteoarthrosis, osteochondrosis and as an antipyretic for high temperature.
The mechanism of action of willow bark extract has been well studied. The main active ingredient, which explains therapeutic effect willow bark is salicin. Salicin is able to block the formation of prostaglandin, which is one of the main factors in maintaining inflammation. Thanks to this, willow bark extract has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, similar to the mechanism of action synthetic analogues salicin (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). But unlike the latter, willow bark extract has fewer side effects.
In folk medicine, willow bark extract is used for rheumatism, gout, osteoarthrosis, osteochondrosis, various infectious and gynecological diseases.
To treat rheumatism and as an antipyretic, it is recommended to take a decoction of willow bark. Take 15.0 g. crushed willow bark, pour 0.5 liter of water and boil over low heat for half an hour. Then the broth is filtered and brought to the previous volume with water. Take 3-4 times a day, 2 tablespoons.
You should not use a decoction of willow bark when peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, gastritis with increased acidity. The decoction should not be given to children under 16 years of age for viral infections. Willow bark is rich in salicylate derivatives, which can cause Reye's syndrome in children and adolescents, which is fatal. dangerous disease. You should not take willow bark preparations and aspirin or wintergreen oil at the same time. Willow bark preparations are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Since ancient times, when there was no such abundance of various medicines, people had to save themselves with improvised means: decoctions of herbs, roots, leaves, and so on. One of these remedies is willow bark, the beneficial properties of which are not known to everyone today.
In this article you will learn how to properly prepare medicines from this plant, as well as how to use them so as not to harm the body.
The advantage of this treatment is the ease of use, availability and effectiveness of products based on the bark of this tree.
Preparation and storage
For hemorrhoids, bleeding internal organs It is also worth using this drug, since it has a hemostatic effect and serves as a good antiseptic.
Willow bark is actively used and a decoction from it has a tonic effect and normalizes the pulse, relieves weakness and lethargy.
There are some doubts about the exaggeration of the role of this drug in some diseases. For example, willow bark is often called a panacea. The beneficial properties (for diabetes, for example) of this plant do not eliminate the disease, but only relieve some symptoms. Therefore, before you start taking it yourself, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Natural cosmetics from willow
This product is also widely used in cosmetology. White willow bark, along with burdock oil, will get rid of dandruff, skin itching, excess sebum secretions and seborrhea. To do this, you need to mix the decoction with tincture or steamed ones and rinse your hair after washing. Independent use is also possible.
To regulate skin problems, a preparation based on willow bark is added to baths. There are many recipes for making antiseptic, restorative ointments.
Cautions for use
Like any medicine, willow bark has beneficial properties and contraindications. Since this drug is often used for self-treatment at home, it is simply necessary to take into account the precautions.
First and foremost important rule: pharmacological agents based on this substance or the product itself should not be given to children under 16 years of age, and should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women. You also need to be careful with willow bark if you have any colds or viral diseases.
Of course, you should take decoctions and tinctures with caution, if available. individual intolerance. Therefore, you must always be attentive to your body.
Instructions for use:
Other names for this tree are silver willow, broom, willow or simply willow. White willow belongs to the willow family and can reach 30 m in height, while the trunk can be 1 m in diameter. The branches of the tree are most often drooping, and the crown is spreading. White willow bark is light gray when the plant is young, and black or dark gray on older trees. The trunk has a dark gray bark, and the branches on it can be reddish or yellowish, but are always flexible and thin. The leaves are linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, on fairly short petioles, silvery-silky. The flowers of the plant are small, they are collected in erect earrings, which bloom simultaneously with the leaves.
The fruit of the white willow is a small, bivalve, single-locular capsule containing small seeds that are covered with hairs. The tree blooms in April, and its fruits are fully ripened in May.
Willow is widespread throughout the CIS, with perhaps only the Far North being an exception. Most often it grows along roads, near houses, along river banks and forest edges on moist and fertile soils. The people of Greece dedicated this tree to Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and ghosts. Quite often it is white willow became the main symbol of grief and sadness.
Preparation of raw materials
More often medicine The willow bark becomes white, very rarely the male catkins of this tree can become white. Properly prepared bark should be collected from branches or young trees before the leaf expansion period, that is, in April-May. By the way, it is incredibly easy to collect wood at this time, as it peels off very easily. The bark is most often dried under an iron roof in attics or in fairly well-ventilated rooms, where it is scattered very thin layer. White willow bark can also be dried on special dryers with set temperature not exceeding 40 °C. Finished and properly prepared raw materials can be stored for 4 years in dry and cool rooms.
Men's earrings are best collected during the flowering period and then dried in the shade.
Application of white willow
Willow bark contains up to 7% salicin glycoside, which later, thanks to the action of a special enzyme salicase, can be hydrolytically broken down into tannins, saligenin, glucose, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, resins and a host of other substances.
The plant has antiseptic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
The bark of the branches and trunk of white willow has disinfectant, diuretic, astringent, antipyretic and hemostatic properties. For colitis, gout, women's diseases, gastritis, dysentery, internal bleeding, dyspepsia, neuralgia, migraine, pleurisy, diseases of the spleen and liver, fever, typhoid, tuberculosis, bedsores, neuroses, articular rheumatism and cystitis, it is recommended to take powder, decoction or infusion of white willow internally. But willow preparations can be used externally for mouth rinsing, which is necessary for gingivitis, sore throat and periodontal disease. Willow can also be used externally to combat varicose veins veins, hyperhidrosis, various skin diseases and even with sweating. Previously, willow bark was also used as an effective antimalarial agent.
A decoction of white willow leaves is used in folk medicine for menorrhagia and heavy bleeding in the intestines. It can also be a good antipyretic, as can an infusion of willow flowers.
Harm from the use of white willow
It is strictly forbidden to use willow preparations for pregnant women and patients whose treatment uses laxatives, aspirin, cough and cold remedies, vitamins, antacids and amino acids.
I would like to start today’s conversation with the song: “Over the lazy river the willow quietly whispers: Don’t be born beautiful, but be born happy,” and in continuation add: the willow bark will make you beautiful and healthy... Are you surprised? It’s completely in vain, because in fact, willow bark is a product amazing in its properties. We are sure that after you read this text to the end, all your doubts will be dispelled, because it is about the benefits of willow bark and we'll talk right now.
Willow bark: composition
The great benefits of willow bark are due to the fact that it contains a huge amount of plant alkaloid - salicin, thanks to him the drug has antibiotic action. In addition to the components indicated, willow bark includes a complete set of biologically active compounds, consisting of tannins, flavones, glycosides, pectins, and ascorbic acid. And, of course, willow bark can satiate human body mineral elements and vitamins necessary for its normal functioning.
Properties
Since ancient times, willow has been truly attributed magical properties. IN medicinal purposes roots and catkins of willow are used, however today we're talking about about the properties of the bark.
Willow bark has:
antipyretic,
astringent,
anti-inflammatory,
diuretic,
anthelmintic actions.
Often willow bark is used as:
sedative,
antifever,
wound healing agent.
Willow bark is also used in cosmetology. It has been proven that a decoction of the bark can cure weakened and brittle hair.
Willow bark: contraindications
Willow bark, as you can see, can be useful for many ailments. However, before you begin treatment with its help, we advise you to consult a specialist, since it has some contraindications. Thus, children under 16 years of age should not use preparations based on willow bark. The use of willow bark is contraindicated for women during pregnancy (especially in the second and third trimesters) and lactation. You should not take preparations based on willow bark if you have viral infections(flu, ARVI), in particular, mixing them with other salicylates (aspirin), cough and cold remedies is not allowed. Naturally, the use of willow bark should be avoided in case of individual intolerance.
The use of willow bark in folk medicine
There are many traditional medicine recipes using willow bark. We decided to bring to your attention only a few of them.
Willow bark infusion for radiculitis
You will need:
Crushed willow bark – 1 teaspoon,
Water – 1 glass.
Cooking method
1. Pour boiling water over the bark.
2. Close with a lid and leave until cool.
3. Strain.
4. Take 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day.
Willow bark decoction for jaundice
Dried crushed willow bark – 60 grams,
Water – 1 liter.
Cooking method
1. Fill the willow bark with water. We put it on fire.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Leave it for a day.
4. Strain the broth.
5. Take 1/2 cup 3 times a day before meals.
Willow bark decoction for tonsillitis
You will need:
Willow bark – 1 tablespoon,
Water – 1 glass.
Cooking method
1. Pour boiling water over the willow bark.
2. Place on the fire and boil for half an hour.
3. Remove from heat and leave for several hours.
4. Strain.
5. Gargle with the prepared broth several times a day.
A decoction of dry willow bark and strawberry root for dysentery
You will need:
Willow bark – 10 grams,
Strawberry roots – 8 grams,
Water – 0.5 liters.
Cooking method
1. Fill the willow bark and strawberry roots with water.
2. Place on the fire and cook over low heat for about ten minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Let cool.
4. Strain.
5. Take several teaspoons throughout the day.
Willow bark infusion for colds
You will need:
Willow bark – 10 grams,
Anise fruits – 10 grams,
Raspberries – 10 grams,
Linden flowers – 10 grams,
Mother and stepmother leaves - 10 grams,
Water – 2 glasses.
Cooking method
1. Mix all ingredients (except water).
2. Pour boiling water over one tablespoon of the mixture.
3. Place on the fire and cook for about 10 minutes over low heat.
4. Strain.
5. We drink it when we have a cold as a diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory instead of regular tea.
Willow bark decoction for spleen diseases
You will need:
Willow bark – 20 grams,
Soapwort root – 20 grams,
Water – 1 liter.
Cooking method
1. Grind the willow bark well.
2. Add soapwort root.
3. Fill with water. We put it on fire.
4. Boil for a quarter of an hour.
5. Remove from heat and wrap for 1 hour.
6. Strain.
7. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
Willow bark for urinary tract inflammation
You will need:
Willow bark – 20 grams,
Steelwort root – 10 grams,
Hernial – 10 grams,
Water – 1 glass.
Cooking method
1. Grind all ingredients.
2. Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water.
3. Put it on fire. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat. Let it sit for 2 hours.
5. Strain.
6. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day.
Willow bark for baldness and dandruff
You will need:
Willow bark – 20 grams,
Burdock root – 20 grams,
Water – 1 liter.
Cooking method
1. Grind willow bark and burdock root.
2. Mix.
3. Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture with water. We put it on fire.
4. Boil for 15 minutes.
5. Cool. We filter.
6. Rub the prepared broth into the scalp for the above problems.
Willow bark for baldness
Willow bark – 20 grams,
Thyme – 20 grams,
Oak bark – 20 grams,
Water – 1 liter.
Cooking method
1. Grind and mix all ingredients (except water).
2. Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture with water.
3. Place on the fire and boil for 15 minutes.
4. Cool. We filter.
5. For baldness, the prepared decoction should be rubbed into the scalp.
Dear visitors to our portal, what properties of willow bark do you know? We would be grateful if you could share your knowledge in the comments to this article!
For several centuries, willow has been considered the most valuable plant with amazing healing properties. In fact, various parts of this tree are used for many diseases. In particular, willow bark, medicinal properties, the use and contraindications of which we will now consider, has found multiple applications in folk medicine.
Willow bark - beneficial properties and composition
Of particular value in the composition of willow bark are tannins, which total number occupy over 10%. Salicin, or salicylic acid glycoside, is one of the organic components beneficial for human health. It effectively eliminates headache and migraine. In addition, recipes from this plant contain many flavonoids, pectins, glycosides and even ascorbic acid. The use of such products, prepared without much difficulty at home, helps saturate the body with vitamins, minerals and biologically active compounds.
Willow bark has a diuretic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory effect. It helps lower body temperature, eliminates fever, alleviates the condition of colds.
Remedies prepared from the bark of this tree help improve musculoskeletal function, accelerate the healing process of wounds, effectively acts as a sleeping pill and sedative. After consuming decoctions, you can get rid of insomnia.
Treatment of diseases digestive system will also be very successful proper preparation and the use of products from beneficial plants.
The properties of willow are also valued in cosmetology. It is successfully used not only internally, but also as a hair rinse, skin lotion, nail bath, etc.
Willow bark - application, methods of use
There are many recipes that are considered useful for a particular disease. Let's consider the most valuable of them; perhaps they will turn out to be useful in your treasury of folk remedies.
A cure for radiculitis: you need to take a teaspoon of crushed young tree bark and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Cover the container with the infusion with a lid and leave until it cools completely. After straining, the medicine can be taken - one tablespoon 5-6 times during the day. This product also helps stabilize blood pressure and raise it to normal. It is not recommended to use if you have hypertension.
Remedy for jaundice: you will need to take 60 grams of well-dried bark. Fill it with one liter cold water, put on low heat and cook after boiling for 15-20 minutes. Then remove from the stove, wrap well and leave for 24 hours. After a day, strain the resulting mixture, drink half a glass three times a day before meals. This tool used only in combination with drug therapy as an addition.
Remedy for tonsillitis: you can make a decoction for gargling. Pour one tablespoon of bark into 250 ml of water, boil for 35 minutes, leave for 4-5 hours. Strain well and use to rinse several times during the day after meals and between meals.
Cure for dysentery. This folk remedy prepared from the following components:
10 grams of willow bark;
- 8 grams of strawberry roots;
- 500 ml of water.
Grind all the ingredients, mix, add water and place on low heat for 10-12 minutes. Strain the finished broth, and then you can take two or three teaspoons throughout the day. This remedy should not be used for more than two days.
For external use, use the following decoction: 250 grams of dry raw materials are boiled in 10 liters of water for fifteen minutes. Pour the resulting composition into a bath, the water temperature in which should not exceed 37 degrees. Such procedures should be taken for at least half an hour, adding more if necessary. hot water. In just a few sessions, you can reduce the manifestations of thrombophlebitis.
When using recipes from parts of this tree, symptoms can be relieved diabetes mellitus. But it is worth dispelling some beliefs: it will not be possible to cure the disease, but only to minimize its manifestations.
Willow bark - contraindications and warnings
In folk medicine, absolutely all remedies have a number of contraindications; they must be used with extreme caution when self-treatment. Willow is not recommended for children under sixteen years of age. The same goes for pregnant women and breastfeeding babies.
Do not combine medications containing salicylic acid, with the use of willow. It is not used for stomach ulcers, gastritis and elevated level acidity.
Taking into account diuretic effect, you should promptly replenish salts and minerals in the body after consuming willow decoctions.
When to prepare raw materials for decoctions?
To get from a plant maximum benefit, it must be collected during the period of sap flow, and this is the time from March to April. The bark is easily separated from the trunk and has maximum useful properties. It is dried under the sun and then placed in the oven at a low temperature of 50-60 degrees. The finished raw material must be brittle and easy to break. You can store it in paper or cardboard box. By following all the rules, you can store a valuable dried plant for 3-4 years.
