Willow bark decoction, like aspirin, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antibacterial properties. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, intestinal catarrh, fever and diarrhea. It helps with insomnia and neuralgia, and helps heal wounds.
Written by painters and poets in the Mazovian nostalgic landscape, it iswillowprobably the most "Polish" tree - although it occurs almost throughout Europe, a large part of Asia and Africa. It grows by roads, on balks, in humid forests; in parks and gardens, its cultivar variety is most often planted - weeping willow.
Willow bark is a vegetable aspirin
Originally, the bark, leaves, fruit and willow juice were used to make herbal mixtures. Today, only the bark is a recognized medicinal raw material. It is a source of phenolic glycosides (including salicin and salicortin) - these are the equivalents of the plantaspirin . When these substances break down in the digestive tract, they release salicylic alcohol that is oxidized to salicylic acid. In this way, soluble s alts of this acid are formed, which are very easily absorbed into the bloodstream. They have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antibacterial properties. Since they inhibit the production of prostaglandins (compounds that trigger and maintain inflammatory processes in the joints and muscles), they have found application in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, intestinal catarrh, fever and diarrhea.
Willow bark also contains large amounts of other valued in the treatment of substances - mineral s alts, ellagic acid, tannins, catechins, flavonoids. That is why it is successfully used also in other ailments. It helps with nervous excitation, insomnia and neuralgia, and when used for compresses, it helps heal wounds.
Willow in the pharmacy
Willow is a component of mixtures used mainly in rheumatic diseases and neuralgia caused by inflammation (eg Reumogran, Reumasol, Reumovit). It is also a component of anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic preparations helpful in upper respiratory tract infections and accompanying fever, headaches and muscle aches (e.g. Pyrosan, Agryflos, Pyrosal).
How to collect willow bark?
Willow bark is harvested in spring, before the leaves and flowers develop, forming the so-called kitties(they appear simultaneously with the leaves). For debarking, choose 2-3-year-old branches from felled trees. First, the bark is cut around the branch every 20 cm, then lengthwise and lifting it with a knife, remove it from the wood. A well-collected and dried willow bark should remain gray-green on the outside and light brown on the inside, not more than 3 mm thick and break easily.
Did you know that …
» In 1829 the active compound - salicin - was separated from the willow, introducing it to the treatment in place of quinine. Salicin has been used with success in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, gout and other rheumatic joint disorders.
» In 1935, the synthesis of salicylic acid was carried out.
» After World War II, positive results of treatment with willow bark of diseases such as lumbago, rheumatic myositis and chronic polyarthritis were observed. The discovery of acetylsalicylic acid, however, pushed willow bark into oblivion.
Willow bark decoction
1 tablespoon of bark pour a glass of water, bring to a boil and keep it covered for 5 minutes on low heat. Set aside for 15 minutes, strain. Drink 1/3 cup 3 times a day during flu and colds as a remedy for fever, runny nose, sore muscles. It will also help with rheumatic ailments and neuralgia, gastritis and inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The decoction can also be used for compresses on purulent wounds.
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