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Willow

Useful properties and applications of willow


Botanical description willow

Willow is a perennial tree has a very dense crown, has a lot of trunks, can reach a height of up to 18-20 m. Bark of trunks of the willow brown-gray, cracked, Young shoots grayish yellow, very brittle at the joints. In March begin to bloom the buds are conical in shape, yellowish-gray, gradually over time turn black. Ovate-lanceolate, narrow leaves with a glossy sheen. Edges are glandular-serrate, acutely elongated. Short stalks covered with glands.

Flowering begins with the opening of leaves. The flowers have no perianth, unisexual male with 2-5 stamens, the female with a single pistil surrounded by nectaries. The fruit is a capsule filled with fibrous seeds. The tree is resistant to frost. Looks picturesquely on the banks of ponds and hedges. Growing in Russia in the Bryansk region, in Siberia, in the Ukraine in Poltava region.


The beneficial properties of willow

For therapeutic purposes, is widely used bark, vitamin C, tannins. The bark is endowed with astringent, antipyretic properties. Active ingredients have anti-malarial activity. Used as anthelmintic and styptic. Anti-inflammatory, diuretic and choleretic effect. The presence of flavones means that the plant is able to strengthen blood vessels. The glycoside salicin manifests itself as aspirin.

The use of willow

As external funds and used a decoction of the bark powder. Due to its antibacterial features of these tools are applicable for the treatment of wounds, inflammation with abscesses. Inside the decoction is used for dyspepsia, catarrh. Good at treating whooping cough and fever. In chronic rheumatism markedly improves General condition, alleviates pain. As an astringent and anti-inflammatory bark decoction helps in stomatitis, gingivitis. Eliminates gastric and uterine bleeding, has a diuretic and choleretic effect.

The young shoots of the willow have been used in the treatment of scurvy. With the help of willow treated male and female diseases such as: prostatitis and epididymitis.

A decoction of the bark of the willow:

Recipe No. 1: 20 g per 200 ml keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, to insist, strain and drink 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day for rheumatism and 5-6 times a day with other diseases.

Recipe No. 2: 1stakan of boiling water, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped thin twigs to boil for five minutes on low fire under the lid.Cool, strain and take 3 times a day for 0.5 cups. The course is 1 month (for men).

Recipe No. 2: 2 tablespoons of bark, 1 liter of water. Bring to boil and then on low heat cook for 0.5 minutes for half an hour. To insist 30 minutes, strain and drink 1/3stakana 5-6 times a day. The course is 1 month (for women).

Willow shoots used for goiter with hyperthyroidism. They are burned, the resulting ashes mixed with honey 1:2 and take 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals.

Broom of willow, used in the bath for treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatism.

Flowers willow

Flowers willow small, unisexual (male and female), without perianth, inflorescence – earrings. Traditional healers recommend eating the infusion of the flowers of the willow for heart disease, tachycardia, arrhythmia.

Tincture of the flowers of the willow:

0.5 liter of vodka, 100 grams. flowers. To insist for months, take 3-4 times a day for 30-35 drops before meals diluted in a spoonful of water.

Useful flowers willow in female and male infertility.

The leaves of the willow

The willow leaves are glabrous, alternate, linear-lanceolate, sharply serrated. The bottom plate of the leaves slightly pubescent. Useful tea from young leaves, it has a tonic effect, relieves fatigue, significantly improves the General condition of the body is depression. In folk medicine has a long and very effective recipe concentrated, very thick broth.

A decoction of the leaves of the willow: torn (spring) leaves of trees to fill, good sealing, pot (4l.), cover with cold water, bring to a boil over a slow fire to boil to form a dark brown liquid the consistency is like sour cream. This concentrated broth to coat the area of the thyroid gland before bedtime, covering with a cloth. In the morning you can wash off, the course is carried out for 3-4 months.


Willow brittle willow

A tree 15-20 m tall shatrovidny decorates the crown with unbreakable cords – so the plant its name. Shoots glabrous with glitter, olive green with a reddish tinge. Young shoots are sticky. The buds are black, glabrous, shiny, too. Leaves to 15 cm long, lanceolate with a short tapering tip. Lower side of leaves dark green, shining, lower glaucous-green. Flowers appear together with leaves.

Grows well in clay and wet soils near the water in areas where groundwaterlocated close beneath the surface. Propagated by means of cuttings. In the crust of brittle willow contains tannins, it is good to eat for diarrhea. There are flavonoids, glycosides, a decoction of the bark is useful in neuralgia, neurosis, rheumatism, gout, malaria, gastritis of the stomach, diseases of the spleen and liver. Effective tool and gynecological, and infectious diseases.


Contraindications willow

Rakita is contraindicated in pregnant women, children under 16 years because the plant contains salicylates, it may cause toddlers encephalitis and liver failure. Use willow to be careful with high acidity and chronic constipation. Not recommended as a treatment to use decoctions and infusions in ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.