White Willow (Salix alba L.)
After over 2 years, our White Willow is ready to harvest!
The inner bark of the White Willow is what is used medicinally. Yesterday, we trimmed off some of its branches and stripped off its bark.
White Willow contains Salicylic acid, a strongly anti-inflammatory and analgesic compound. It was the forerunner of aspirin, a chemical drug developed in Germany during 1899. Salicylic acid has many of the properties of aspirin but causes notably fewer side effects. As such, it is now being widely researched as an alternative to aspirin based anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. Unlike aspirin type medicines, salicylic acid does not thin the blood, and any problems it might cause within the digestive tract are likely to be minor.
~ Joint and Back Pain
Over the last 15 years, clinical trials have shown that high-strength willow bark extract offers an effective alternative to mainstream anti-inflammatory medicines, particularly targeting osteoarthritis and lower back pain. In a 2008 clinical trial published in Phytomedicine, among people with arthritis of the hip or knee, aged between 50 and 75, those taking willow bark extract, after 6 weeks, were rated by doctors as doing significantly better than those taking standard aspirin-based medication. Those taking willow bark reported far fewer side-effects.
~ Fevers & Pain
White willow is taken to manage high fevers. It may also be used to ease headaches and head pain.
~ Menopause
White Willow is a cooling herb that reduces sweating, willow bark can be used for hot flushing and night sweats
It is now available for U-pick! We also sell it in the form of a tincture, glycerite and dried.