The botanical name of the silver willow is Salix alba and it belongs to the genus of willows (Salix). The name comes from the silvery sheen of the leaves. In addition to its use in cosmetics and industry, the silver willow is also used as a medicinal plant, where it can be used to treat various ailments.
Occurrence and cultivation of the silver willow
The botanical name of the silver willow is Salix alba and it belongs to the genus of willows (Salix). The name comes from the silvery sheen of its foliage leaves. Coming from the willow family (Salicaceae), the deciduous tree can reach a height of 35 meters. Only in exceptional cases the silver willow grows as a shrub. When young, the trees have a conical crown, which, however, grows over the years. The diameter of the trunk can reach one meter. The bark is grayish and has deep furrows, while the bark is usually dark gray in color. The young branches of the silver willow are flexible and have short hairs. Their coloration is between yellow and brown. In addition, a thin, silky pubescence is found on the upper side of the foliage leaves. The underside is more densely hairy. The species name comes from the silvery sheen emanating from the foliage leaves. The flowering time of the silver willow is between April and May. Their coloration varies according to sex, with male flowers being yellowish in color and female flowers being between green and off-white. The catkins of the silver willow are cylindrical and grow up to seven centimeters long. Between June and July is the ripening period of the seeds. Long, white hairs serve them as flight and dispersal aids. The distribution area of the silver willow covers almost all of Europe. Scandinavia is an exception. The willow is also found in North Africa and Central Asia. It occurs in mountainous areas of up to 850 meters. Its preferred habitat is floodplains such as riparian forests, streams and riparian scrub. The preferred soil of the silver willow is intermittently flooded and calcareous. Sandy and gravelly clay soils are possible as well as moderately acidic. Pests that attack the silver willow include gall mites.
Effect and application
Often the silver willow is cut to size as a pollard willow. In earlier times, people used the rods of the willow for weaving. Wooden shoes and prostheses are made from the white-gray wood. In addition, cricket bats made of the material can also be found in the trade. It is soft, flexible and easy to split. It is also used in the paper industry and is often sold as firewood in winter. In addition, the silver willow is now used in the field of cosmetics. Here it finds application in the prevention of yellow stains in blond or chlorinated hair. The tree contains, among other things, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and salicylic acid. Because of this, parts of the silver willow are also used in medicine. These include the leaves, catkins and bark of the tree. In herbal medicine, there are various areas and possibilities of application. Thus, the silver willow is used internally or externally in baths, as a tea, rinse or shampoo. Also sitz baths and tinctures are possible. To make willow bark tea, a heaping teaspoon of the bark is poured over 250 milliliters of cold water and heated. After five minutes, the tea can be strained and drunk. No more than five cups of the tea should be consumed per day. For internal rinses, a smaller dose should be used, while sitz baths are enriched with correspondingly more willow bark. Additionally, willow bark hair rinse can be made with a tablespoon of dried leaves and a quart of boiling water. The mixture, after cooling, is poured through a coffee filter and the decoction is used against dandruff and greasy hair. Another possible application is in the preparation of skin tinctures. Mixed with a teaspoon of comfrey root, a teaspoon of thyme, a teaspoon of rosemary and about 250 milliliters of alcohol, a tablespoon of willow bark can be made into a tincture and used after 14 days of steeping in the sun. Areas of application are skin problems of various kinds. Willow bark is even used in veterinary medicine. Here it is used for wound treatment and in horses it is also used against internal bleeding and colic.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Silver willow has a number of positive effects on the human body.Already in ancient times it was used against spitting blood. Dioscorides knew the silver willow and recommended against calluses and hardening of the skin. It was also said to help against ear and eye ailments. Hildegard von Bingen, on the other hand, was not convinced of the effectiveness of the silver willow. It is still used in medicine today. It is diuretic and diaphoretic and reduces fever. It is also analgesic and anti-rheumatic. It has a disinfectant and antibacterial effect. It is also said to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to this, silver willow can be used against colds and flu. In addition, it is recommended for headaches and can permanently reduce fever. When used externally, silver willow helps against myalgia, arthritis, sciatica and gout. Baths can help relieve discomfort in stiff joints. On the other hand, willow bark should not be used during pregnancy. Children under 12 years of age should also not take the tea, as its effect on children has not been studied in detail. As a rule, willow bark is well tolerated. However, it may interact with other medications. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted before use. In the case of chronic diseases, the use should also be discussed with a physician. Interactions with the contraceptive pill are not known. One of the few known side effects is blood clotting disorders.
