4 Ways To Use Willow Bark and How To Harvest It by SARA TIPTON for Ready Nutrition
Willow is a much more natural alternative to the Aspirins that line the shelves at every grocery store. It is also quite a bit easier on the stomach. Harvesting it is simple and it could be helpful for anyone in an off-grid situation or those who prefer to use a natural medicine over a synthetic drug.
Willow bark is the bark from several varieties of the willow tree. The varieties of willow include white willow or European willow, black willow or pussy willow, crack willow, purple willow, and others. The bark can be used in a similar way to aspirin, and for those who are seeking a more natural medicine, it could be an awesome solution!
Willow bark acts a lot like aspirin, meaning it is used for commons aches or pain, such as headaches, muscle or joint pain, menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, gout, and a disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis. Willow bark can also help with the common cold, flu, and even weight loss.
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Salicin is the active ingredient in willow bark that makes it an effective natural medicine. Salicin is similar to aspirin when ingested. It could cause an upset stomach especially if you overdo it.
How To Harvest Willow Bark
The variety of plants you choose to harvest the bark from will determine its strength. While all willows are medicinal, some may taste and smell a little better if you intend to ingest and use the plant for medicinal purposes. Try to harvest willow bark in an uncontaminated (unsprayed by glyphosate etc.) area and be sure to give the bark a taste and smell test. You will want it to smell a bit like wintergreen and taste bitter, almost like an aspirin tablet sitting on the tongue. It should also give a tart Vitamin C-like after kick. This is the good stuff. Many herbalists have their favorite variety of willow, and once they find a spot with great trees, they go back to it to harvest year after year. The best thing you can do is learn your area and know when and where you can harvest the willow for the most effective medical effect.
