The Medicinal Uses of Willow

Migraines run in my husband’s family.  Fortunately, he has been spared, and so far none of our daughters have been affected.  But his mother, her mother, her mother’s mother, and back down the maternal line have all been plagued by them.  One of his sisters avoided them, but the other, and her daughters are also afflicted.  And way back when, Great-great Grandmother was riding on a train in the late 1890s when one of her “sick headaches” began its attack.  A traveling salesman noticed her and inquired what was wrong.  And then he offered her some “magical” pills.  She was among the first in the state of Utah to use the wonder drug, Bayer’s Aspirin.  The pills didn’t cure her migraine, but they did provide some measure of welcome relief.

When it comes to pain relief, we actually only have a few options.  There are the pharmaceuticals—NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and narcotics.  When those supplies are exhausted, we’ll be reduced to willows (and related species) and opium, the original basis of anti-inflammatories and narcotics like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.  Opium production is still highly illegal in this country; the legality of growing the poppies themselves is ambiguous, but the seeds are fairly easy to obtain from numerous sources.  A little information on growing the poppies was provided here on the blog a few years back.  In that article there is a link to a DEA website where they detail how to extract opium from the poppies.  I still find it a little ironic that the DEA tells people how to make opium.

So anyway, when our supplies are exhausted, we’ll want to know how to use willows to relieve pain.  It should be kept in mind that willow bark is not as potent as aspirin.  At the same time, it doesn’t have the common side effects like stomach ulcers, tinnitus, and interference with platelet formation that occur with aspirin.[1] 

HARVEST

Many cultures have used the leaves and inner bark for millennia.  Leaf buds should be harvested in the early spring.  While many recommend using the inner bark, collecting the bark from a secondary branch with non-fissured, smooth bark is easier.  Cut the branch from the larger branch, and then remove and discard all smaller branches and twigs that are less than a finger’s width.  The bark should strip easily.  Dry the bark in a dry area out of direct sunlight.[2]

PREPARATION

Decoction

Bark, preparation:  Simmer 1 ounce of dried bark in 1 quart of water in a covered pot for at least 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let steep for another 15 or more minutes.  Uncover and strain.  Drink 2-4 ounces, 2-4 times per day internally.  Use externally as needed.[3] [4]

The following recipe for “Willow Bark Tea” (actually, it’s technically a decoction) came from the University of Maryland Medical Center.[5] 

• Boil 1-2 teaspoons dried white willow inner bark in 8 ounces of water
• Simmer 10-15 minutes and then let steep for 30 minutes.
• Drink 1 cup 3-4 times per day as needed.

Infusion.  Though numerous references state that willow bark teas or infusions are used for treatment, the herb actually has to simmer for a longer time, making it, technically, a decoction.  Follow the decoction instructions above for preparation and dosage.

Tincture.  Tincture fresh, immature buds in 75% alcohol.  Use 30-60 drops, 3-4 times per day. [6]

MODERN USAGE

• Urogenital
• Mild prostatitis[7]
• Urinary tract irritation, fresh plant tincture[8]

HISTORICAL USAGE

• Dental
• Gum inflammation, infusion[9]
• Toothache, infusion[10]
• Gastrointestinal
• Diarrhea
• Decoction[11]
• Chew the bark[12]
• Musculoskeletal
• Arthritis
• Decoction[13]
• Chew the bark[14]
• Rheumatism, chew the bark[15]
• Neurological
• Headache,
• Decoction[16]
• Chew the bark[17]
• Respiratory
• Fever, decoction[19]
• Influenza, decoction[20]
• Laryngitis, gargle the decoction[21]
• Sore throat, gargle the decoction[22]
• Tonsil inflammation, gargle the decoction[23]
• Skin, poultice or wash[24] or strips of bark softened by chewing or boiling
• Burns
• Cancers
• Corns
• Cuts
• Insect bites
• Itching
• Rashes
• Sores
• Ulcers
• Urogenital
• Urinary tract irritation,
• Decoction[25]
• Chew the bark[26]

CAUTION:  Those sensitive to aspirin should avoid using willow internally.[27] 

Links to related posts:

Opium and Laudanum

References:

https://museum.dea.gov/exhibits/online-exhibits/cannabis-coca-and-poppy-natures-addictive-plants/opium-poppy

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[1] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 84.

[2] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 324.

[3] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 324.

[4] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 84.

[5] UMM no longer has it on their website, but there are numerous references to it online.  Dr. Cynthia Koelker includes the recipe and web address in her volume Armageddon Medicine.

[6] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 324.

[7] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 324.

[8] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 324.

[9] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[10] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[11] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[12] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

[13] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[14] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

[15] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

[16] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[17] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

[18] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[19] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[20] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[21] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[22] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[23] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[24] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[25] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 342.

[26] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

[27] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 48.

 27 november 2023