A spreading, fast-growing deciduous tree, up to 25 m (82 ft.), it has greyish, fissured bark, arching branches and silvery-green, slender lance late leaves. Stalk-less, yellow male and female catkins are borne in spring.
History and traditions
The willow contains salicylic acid and is the origin of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which was synthesized from it as early as 1853. The bark had been used in Europe for centuries to reduce pain and fever, and in Native American traditional medicine several willow species were used for the same purposes. Willow branches were popular church decorations in Britain and used as substitute palms (which were not readily available) on Palm Sunday. In Russia, the week leading up to Easter was often called “willow week”. The tree was always an emblem of sadness (it was a willow beneath which the “children of Israel” sat down and wept) and garlands of it were worn by the forsaken in love.
Related species
There are several species of willow with medicinal properties in this large genus, including the North American Salix myrsinifolia or black willow.
Habitat/distribution
Salix alba occurs widely in Europe and Asia, most often near rivers, streams and waterways.
Growth
Requires damp soil and even does well on heavy clay, but dislikes chalk. Propagated by greenwood cuttings in spring, or by hardwood cuttings in winter.
Parts used
Bark collected from 2-3-year-old trees and dried for use in decoctions and other preparations; leaves are also occasionally used in infusions.
Uses
Medicinal
The salicylic compounds it contains give willow fever-reducing, analgesic, anti-rheumatic properties. Although it has been completely replaced by synthetics in pharmaceutical preparations it is still sometimes used in herbal medicine for fevers and neuralgia (taken internally), in baths for rheumatic pain and in ointments and compresses for cuts, burns and skin complaints.
