Want to learn how to make willow bark powder and how to use this natural medicine at home? Continue reading and find out.
Willow bark is a rich source of salicin, a glycoside of salicylic alcohol that was identified and extracted in 1827 by the French pharmacist H. Leroux. From salicin, aspirin (or acetylsalicylic acid) was later developed, hence willow bark is the precursor of aspirin. Willow bark powder was a common remedy to prevent food poisoning in children, while willow bark baths were prescribed during damp or windy weather to prevent and treat joint pain.
Romanian folk healers believed that willow is the panacea for all illnesses that worsened with wind, perhaps inspired by the willow’s branches always victorious in their struggle against the wind. Before we show you how to make willow bark powder and use it at home, here is how to harvest willow bark in spring and how to process it at home.
How to Harvest Willow Bark
When the sap begins to circulate through the tree in April, it’s the perfect time to harvest willow bark. Harvest only the bark from the young branches, as they regenerate remarkably fast, and this does not harm the willow tree. Cut off the young 1-2-year-old shoots and peel off their bark using a small knife. Then lay the pieces of willow bark out to dry in a layer 3-4 centimeters thick. Once the willow bark loses its elasticity and becomes brittle, the drying process is complete and can be stored in linen bags.
The most commonly used willow for therapeutic purposes is white willow (Salix alba), but in mountainous areas its wilder relative, goat willow (Salix caprea), is used. In urban areas, the weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is also commonly used.
How to Make Willow Bark Powder
Finely grind the dried willow bark pieces using a coffee grinder, or crush them in a mortar, then sift the powder through a fine sieve. Store the willow bark powder in an airtight glass jar. Generally, willow bark powder should not be kept for more than 30 days, as it tends to lose its therapeutic properties through oxidation. The regular adult dosage is 1/2 teaspoon (approximately 2 grams) 3-6 times per day on an empty stomach. Hold the willow bark powder under the tongue for a few minutes before swallowing it with water.
2 Health Uses of Willow Bark Powder
- Diarrhea & Food Poisoning – 3-6 teaspoons a day of willow bark powder on an empty stomach. Willow bark is a potent antiseptic; its tannins inactivate bacteria in the intestines. Additionally, willow bark has an absorbent effect, helping restore the normal consistency of stools.
- Cardiovascular Conditions – willow bark is used due to its beneficial effects on circulation and blood pressure. It has anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties, which can help improve blood flow by thinning the blood and reducing inflammation. The recommended dosage typically involves taking the willow bark powder in smaller amounts, such as a pinch of willow bark powder, about the tip of a teaspoon, twice a day on an empty stomach. This remedy is also recommended for moderate fever and pain relief. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and to ensure it complements any prescribed treatments.
Read Also: How to Make Willow Bark Tea & Use at Home
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