European beauty - willow white

Willow white refers to the family of willow trees. The height of the trees reaches up to 30 meters. Willow has a scattered crown, its crust is cracked, dark gray or black, in young it is light gray. Leaves lanceolate on short petioles, edges serrate, silvery-silky. White willow blooms in April, the fruits ripen in May, covered with small hairs. Quite often this plant can be found in yards, along roads, on the banks of rivers.

The bark of the white willow shows healing properties. The bark needs to be collected before the leaves are deployed (April month). To save the healing properties of the bark, it must be dried in well-ventilated rooms (attic). The bark is scattered a thin layer. There are also special drying cabinets for this manipulation. The air temperature should not be above 40 degrees. The dried bark retains its healing properties for four years.

Willow white: biochemical composition of the plant

The greatest amount of biologically active substances is found in the bark. To such biocompounds can be attributed glycosides of phenolic nature, derivatives of salicylic acid and flavonoids. Salicylic glycosides include salicin, which under the action of a salicase is split into saligenol (alcohol), which is subsequently oxidized to salicylic aldehyde and acid. As a result, a small amount of salicylic acid can be found in the willow bark. In the cortex, there are also other glycosides: salireposid, salidroside, salicoside, frigalin, triandrin, vimalin, salicortin, trehmuloid, etc. The leaves contain up to 5% of flavonoids, which include glycosides, anthocyanins, cyanidins, purpurins, catechins, apigenins, Salidrosides, etc. Leaves and young branches contain a large number of vitamins and nutrients (ascorbic acid - 0.15%, proteins - 14%, lipids - 3.5%, structural carbohydrates - 25%).

Willow white shows antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, hemostatic and tonic effect. Branches and tree bark in medicine is used as a disinfectant, antipyretic, hemostatic and diuretic. In folk medicine, the bark of this plant is used for diarrhea, colitis, gastritis, dyspepsia, internal bleeding, gout, neuralgia, migraine, hepatitis, hepatosis, pleurisy, neurosis, splenitis, infectious diseases (tuberculosis, typhoid). Infusions and flocks can be used to rinse the mouth with gingivitis, angina, stomatitis, periodontal disease. Foot baths are prescribed for varicose veins, hyperhidrosis, sweating, skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis). In ancient times, before the discovery of quinine, our ancestors used the bark as an antimalarial. Decoction of leaves can be used for strong intestinal bleeding, menorrhagia, and as an antipyretic.

The bark is often used in the national economy (tanning fishing tackle, the production of bent products, well, and, of course, as a building material). Willow is white, or rather its wood is used for the production of pulp. Shuttles, canoes, small boats, troughs, and wells for watering holes are made from the trunks. Thick rods can serve as a material for the manufacture of premises for sheep (koshars) or pens for livestock. Branches and bark of trees contain coloring substances that are used to color silk, wool and leather in yellow or reddish-brown colors. From bast fibers make ropes and ropes. Do not forget that young branches and leaves are a perfect food for sheep and goats. In early spring - a good supporting honey plant. Willow white is an indispensable plant for afforestation of riverbeds, ravines, ponds, reservoirs and other various reservoirs.