Prairie Willow(Salix humilis)
Other Names:
None known
Range:
Family:
Salicaceae – Willow family
Growth Type:
A small deciduous woody shrub that grows in thickets.
Height:
S. humilis grows to approximately 12 feet tall.
Leaves:
The lanceolate leaves are grey-green to blue-green in color.
Stem/Trunk:
The bark on the stems is yellowish to brown in color.
Root:
The roots of all species are extremely flexible and strong.
Flower Season:
Early spring
Flower Appearance:
Silky green catkins approximately 3 to 6 cm long.
Seed/Fruit:
Not observed.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Moist soils of swamps, dense woods, stream banks, or yards.
Parts Used:
Buds, catkins, Inner bark of trunk, root, or twigs.
Culinary Uses:
While not great tasting, the buds are edible when they emerge. So too is the inner bark. Both can be eaten raw, or as a cooked vegetable. These should only be considered a survival food.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Salix spp., contain salicylic acid, the forerunner of modern aspirin. A pain-relieving tea can be brewed from the inner bark of the willow. The caveat I would offer about Salix species, is that the Salicylate levels can vary greatly from species to species, as well as from individual to individual within the same species. If you find a tree that works well for you, keep using it. If at first you do not succeed, keep trying until you find one with enough salicin to alleviate your symptoms.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Antiarthritic,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Febrifuge,
Odontalgic,
Stomachic
Herbal Preparations For Willow
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Bark
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried bark into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, and strain. Pour enough water over the spent bark to bring the level back to 1 quart.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Inner Bark
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh inner bark, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 1/2-1 tsp as needed
