Willow bark has long been known for its healing properties. It is widely used not only in the field of traditional medicine, but also for the manufacture of many drugs, oils, tinctures.
In this article, we consider what willow bark has healing properties and contraindications to its use.
Chemical composition of willow bark
Willow bark has valuable healing properties due to its chemical composition rich in nutrients:
- salicin;
- tannins;
- pectin;
- glycosides;
- tannin;
- flavonoids;
- vitamin C;
- Vitamin PP.
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- iron.
Healing properties of willow
The beneficial properties of willow bark can not be overemphasized. Among them: antipyretic; hemostatic; anti-inflammatory; astringent; wound healing; choleretic; soothing; improves digestion; promotes dilation of blood vessels; diuretic; antibacterial; antifungal; expels worms; relieves fatigue and headache; eliminates sweating; stops diarrhea.
Willow bark treatment effective for conjunctivitis, inflammation of the gums and throat, diseases of the urinary system, inflammation of the female genital organs, disorders of the functioning of the stomach, intestines. It has powerful analgesic properties, helps to get rid of headaches, joint pains, menstrual syndrome, pains with rheumatism and gout. Antipyretic effects will help reduce the heat of fever, colds, inflammatory diseases. Preparations from willow effectively stop bleeding, have bactericidal properties.
Willow bark is also actively used for cosmetic purposes - for the treatment of dandruff, hair loss, elimination of warts, blackheads, sweating, and skin diseases.
Did you know? Our ancestors endowed the willow bark with magical properties. It was used to make a love potion. In addition, it is an effective means of protection from evil spirits and envy.
Recipes of traditional medicine: treatment of diseases
Willow bark is very popular when used in traditional medicine. Due to the healing properties of willow, teas, decoctions, tinctures, ointments and compresses are made from it. When treating serious diseases, it is necessary to take into account that folk remedies do not give instant results. Therefore, it is best to use them as prevention of exacerbations or in remission in the treatment of chronic diseases. This is because only long-term systematic use of folk remedies will allow recovery. As an ambulance, they are not suitable.
Important! During treatment, it is impossible to combine the use of willow bark and aspirin, antibiotics, cough and cold remedies, laxatives, vitamin C.At the same time, folk preparations based on willow bark will help to quickly eliminate such illnesses as:
- headache;
- menstrual syndrome;
- conjunctivitis;
- slight joint pain;
- diarrhea;
- stomach upset.
With physical fatigue
Remove physical fatigue well help decoction willow bark. To prepare it, you need to pour two tablespoons of chopped willow bark with 450 ml of hot water and leave for 15 minutes in a water bath. Leave to cool after passing through cheesecloth. To use on a spoon (dining room) for 5 minutes before meals three times a day.
Also a good remedy would be a decoction of 30 g of birch leaves and 60 g of willow bark. The mixture is poured with a glass of hot boiled water and infused for about two hours. Drink 1/3 cup 60 minutes after meals.
Did you know? Relaxing after hard work will help inhaling willow bark vapors.To relieve fatigue after long or heavy loads, you can use the foot bath. It is necessary to pour 5 tablespoons of raw material with water (liter), boil for half an hour over low heat. Then the mixture is drained, supplemented with another liter of water.
With headache
If you suffer from a headache, pour a teaspoon of powdered willow bark into a glass of hot boiled water. Cover the contents with a saucer or lid and leave for 10 minutes. Next, cool to room temperature and drink at a time before eating. 
For chronic headaches, it is effective to take this broth: tablespoon of bark pour hot boiled water (glass) and insist two hours at a temperature of 20-22 degrees. Strain the mixture, drinking a tablespoon of broth five times a day before meals. The treatment course is a month.
Important! Do not pour raw water over boiling water, otherwise the crust will lose all its useful characteristics.
With laryngitis
Rinsing the throat with such a decoction will help get rid of laryngitis: pour 450 ml of water into a spoon (tablespoon) of bark, boil for 20 minutes over low heat, drain the mixture, bring the liquid to the initial amount with boiled water. Gargle in the morning and evening.
With diarrhea (diarrhea)
To get rid of diarrhea, pour 450 ml of water with a tablespoon of bark and simmer for 20 minutes. Then strain the mixture, bring the liquid to the initial amount with boiled water. Drink a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Gout
For gout, as well as arthritis, rheumatism, joint pain, colitis, kidney and heart disease, you can use this recipe: pour two tablespoons of willow bark with boiled hot water (400 ml) and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Leave for an hour to infuse. Strain, drink a tablespoon in three sets a day before meals. The treatment course is a month. 
To get rid of gout, rheumatism and arthritis will help tincture of the cortex. To do this, 50 g of raw materials must be crushed to a powdery state and pour a liter of 40% alcohol or vodka. Then the mixture must be insisted in a dark place for 14 days. It is recommended to shake the container daily. At the end of the infusion, the mixture is filtered. The tincture is taken twice a day for cup.
With heavy menstruation
To reduce blood loss during menstruation and get rid of pain, it is recommended to drink a decoction of the bark. For its preparation, 350 ml of water is poured over a tablespoon of bark, simmered for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture, bring the liquid to the initial volume with boiled water. Drink a tablespoon three times a day.
With skin diseases and sweating feet
In case of skin irritation, formation of ulcers or wounds on the affected area, it is recommended to apply the bark, crushed to a powder.
To get rid of sweating feet, it is recommended to prepare such a bath: pour 350 ml of water with a tablespoon of bark and boil for 15 minutes. Strain, add a liter of water. In the resulting broth hold the legs for 10 minutes.
Did you know? There is evidence that in ancient times, in order to get rid of the unpleasant smell of the feet, they put on socks for the night, in which willow bark powder was sprinkled.
With bleeding and boils
In order to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended to pour 250 ml of water with a tablespoon of means, boil for 20 minutes. Broth take a tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals.
To stop external bleeding, it is recommended to sprinkle the wound with bark powder. This method is also effective for treating boils. When bleeding from the nose a piece of willow bark is recommended to attach to the affected nostril.
To remove warts
One of the most effective means in the fight against warts is salicylic acid. In its natural form, it can just be obtained from the willow bark decoction. Spoon baking dish pour 250 ml of water and boil for 15 minutes. Cool, then apply a cotton pad or piece of gauze soaked in broth to the affected place.
To get rid of warts will help willow bark powder, filled with vinegar. The resulting slurry is applied to the warts in the form of a compress for 15 minutes.
Febrifuge
To bring down the heat, you can use the following recipe: pour a spoonful of raw material with a glass of hot boiled water, leave for 15 minutes in a water bath, cool, strain. Drink a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Important! Broth bark categorically can not be used together with antibiotics, paracetamol, aspirin. If the fever is high, it is better to take the drug, while refraining from the use of decoction.
How to apply in home cosmetology
Willow bark is widely used to treat hair. When they fall, you need to wash your head twice a week with a decoction of willow bark and burdock. To prepare the broth, take a tablespoon of ingredients, pour 450 ml of water and keep in a water bath for 20 minutes. After the liquid infuse for about two hours and filter.
Bark decoctions also effectively help to get rid of dandruff, promote hair growth. Two tablespoons of bark need to pour 400 ml of hot boiled water, to insist 20 minutes. Rinse hair with the resulting liquid after washing.
In the formation of ulcers, abscesses, it is recommended to sprinkle the affected area with willow bark powder. To clean the pores and gently peel off horny skin, you can use a mask: pour 150 ml of water with a tablespoon of bark powder and wipe the skin with the mixture.
Due to its beneficial properties, willow bark extract is often used in the manufacture of shampoos, balms, hair masks, emollient creams.
Did you know? In the Arab countries, willow bark decoctions are used to rejuvenate the skin.
Collection and storage of therapeutic raw materials
Willow bark is harvested in early spring. Separate the bark should be only with the already cut branches. Then the raw material is dried in a sunny, well-ventilated place, either in an oven or dryer. It should be borne in mind that the temperature should not exceed 50 ° C. Curls of raw materials should not get into each other, otherwise the bark will dry out badly, fungi can form on it.
When bent, the finished bark should break easily, not spring. Its outer side has a dirty gray or greenish-gray color, and the inside should be smooth, light beige with a pink tint. Properly harvested bark has a bitter taste.
Raw materials should be stored in cardboard boxes or wooden boxes, fabric bags in a dry, dark, well-ventilated place, at a temperature of 18-22 degrees. Once a month, containers should be opened for ventilation and checked for the presence of moths and other pests. Harvested bark is suitable for use within four years from the moment of harvesting.
Important! The most useful properties of the bark from the branches of the second and third year of growth.
Contraindications to the use of drugs from willow
Funds from willow can not be applied to children under 16 years old, as well as pregnant and lactating. In addition, willow bark is contraindicated for use in the presence of certain diseases, namely:
- increased acidity;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer;
- constipation;
- bronchial asthma.
Now you know what willow bark is good for. Recipes based on it are used in traditional medicine since ancient times and have proven their effectiveness more than once. At the same time, before using the products, it is necessary to make sure that there are no contraindications to their use.
