MEDICINAL PLANTS

White willow is found in temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, and is usually the emergence of hybrid seeds of growth difficult. To evolve the ideal is a stony, sandy and safe, provided that the bottom is moist but not standing water, which can rot the roots. Planting is done through branches of 50 cm. Long, triangular-shaped tapered at its end, which are placed at an optimal distance of about three meters. This operation is done in March or April, although it is still more favorable in early November.

FLOWERING

It blooms in spring.

APPLICATIONS

The uses that are given to the white sauce are numerous, since you can use almost all of the tree, both for trade and health. Previously burned branches are used as pencil and mines are also used in the manufacture of gunpowder. The leaves are also a good fodder for livestock, and logs used in the manufacture of joinery light objects. But mainly for medicinal purposes is used, which are used for leaves, catkins (male flowers) and the cortex, which has a rough outer elliptical with freckles and reddish or brownish gray, while the inside is yellow with longitudinal grooves, the bark is odorless and is characterized by its bitter taste. Of these elements are extracted salicin (saligenin glucoside) also called salicylic alcohol. Salicin has many properties: for example, can be used to reduce fever, or as an analgesic for mild to moderate pain, as antirheumatic, and anti-inflammatory and mildly sedative. And because it also has a considerable amount of tannins, astringent character also possesses. Thanks to all these properties, is often used in cases of rheumatism, neuralgia, headaches, dysmenorrhoea, cold, flu and biliary disorders.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Catkins are used and the leaves, preparing 5 grams per cup, infused for ten minutes to take this tea so prepared three cups a day.
Fluid extract. Obtained from the catkins and should take a teaspoonful twice daily. If the fluid extract of bark and leaves it will be used 20 to 30 drops three to five times a day, this being less active.
Decoction. The bark is boiled for ten minutes with a ratio of 25 to 50 grams per liter of water crust, leaving macerate for 12 hours. This preparation is taken three cups a day.
Powder. Extracted from the bark, usually takes from 0.5 to 5 grams a day may be taken with honey or syrup.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Salicaceae
HABITAT: Banks of rivers and streams
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Bark, catkins and leaves

USES

Strong painkillers, Antipyretic Moderate, Mild sedative.