Willow - General Description
Willow - a genus of woody plants with a chic spreading crown and a characteristic grayish bark, belongs to the willow family. The foliage of many species is curly and thick, in some - very rare. Leaves located on reddish and flexible branches, petiolate. Depending on the type of tree, a leaf blade with fine-toothed edges can have a wide, narrow linear or elliptical shape.
Different-sex flowers are very small, almost imperceptible. Collected in dense inflorescences - earrings, especially noticeable before the leaves open. The box-shaped fruit is enclosed between 2 cusps, which are subsequently opened. Seed - small and light - is freely carried by the wind over long distances.
Willow - types and places of growth
World flora contains about 300 species of willow, distributed mainly in temperate countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Willow is a companion to humid places, but one of the varieties is goat willow willingly settles on sandy soils. This species is wider than others; it lives throughout Eurasia, preferring coniferous-deciduous forests.
Other common forms include:
- white willow (willow) - grows in flood plains throughout the Russian Federation;
- brittle willow - captures alder forests, planting along roads, dams and dams;
- Holly willow - stretches in strips from the Far North to the Caucasus;
- willow trehtychinkovaya - shrub species growing along the banks of many Russian rivers;
- basket willow - grows in riverbed floodplains, has very flexible shoots, so it is often used in basket weaving.
Willow is an inhabitant of various places and conditions, which indicates a high ecological plasticity of the genus. Decorative views are planted as a wonderful addition to the urban landscape.
Willow - healing properties
Since time immemorial, magical properties have been attributed to valuable shrubs. White willow bark has antipyretic (due to the content of acetylsalicylic acid), astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anthelmintic and diuretic actions. Tea from fresh leaves relieves fatigue, willow broom in the bath treat osteochondrosis, gout. The quinine contained in it is a powerful anti-malaria drug.
Positive results have been achieved in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea. Willow is also used externally: for rinsing the mouth, throat, douching, with varicose veins, sweating feet, skin diseases. The plant is used as a sedative, anti-febrile and wound healing agent, and a weak decoction from the bark treats weak and brittle hair, saturating them with all the necessary substances.
Willow - dosage forms
The medicinal raw material is the bark of young trees, which is carefully harvested in April before the first leaves bloom. This month, it easily peels off wood. Dry under a canopy, with good ventilation.
Less commonly used for medical purposes are earrings, which are collected during flowering, dried in a shady place. The resulting dry extract is stored for 4 years, preferably in a paper-cardboard box.
Willow - recipes of traditional medicine
Varicose disease, thrombophlebitis, muscle fatigue: 120 gr. not too chopped willow roots are poured with 5 liters of water, the mixture is boiled and boiled over very low heat for 10-15 minutes. Then it is cooled to a tolerable temperature and lowered into a decoction of the leg until it cools. The broth can be used up to three times with preheating. The number of procedures - until the condition improves (usually from 5 to 8 baths).
Tincture for tachycardia: 100-150 gr. pour fresh or dry male earrings with a bottle (500 ml) of vodka, remove to a dark place for 21-30 days, then strain everything and use tincture of 35 cap. three times a day for 10-15 days. After a month, you can repeat the course.
Diarrhea, uterine and GI bleeding, ulcer, exacerbation of gastritis, gargling: use white willow. Pour a handful of crushed roots in 250 ml of water, simmer for 30 minutes, then squeeze everything out, and bring the volume to the original. Drink a decoction before meals (3 r. Day) on the table. spoon.
From fresh leaves, you can brew a drink by scalding them with boiling water. Juice or gruel is an excellent remedy for furunculosis, eczema, acne and other skin problems. It is advisable to attach or attach whole leaflets to painful places, corns and corns.
Willow - contraindications
- age up to 16 years;
- pregnancy 2, 3 trimesters;
- the presence of viral infections (influenza, SARS);
- individual intolerance.
The simultaneous administration of drugs based on willow with other salicylates (aspirin), cough and cold remedies is not allowed.
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