The efficacy and function of willow branches

Do you know about willow branches? It is a common medicinal material. Generally, willow branches are used as raw materials in many places. It can also treat many physical diseases. Let’s take a look at the relevant knowledge about willow branches.

[Other names] Willow twigs (from "Zhai Yuan Fang"), willow twigs (from "Zhiyuan Yicao").

[Source] The branches of the weeping willow of the Salicaceae family. Available all year round.

[Original form] Weeping willow, also known as: small poplar (Shuowen), willow (Bencao Shiyi), green silk willow (Bencao Qiuyuan), thread willow, hanging willow (Caomu Bianfang), water willow, Qingming willow.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in waterside wetlands. Distributed in the Yangtze River Basin and southern China.

【Chemical composition】 The xylem contains salicin.

[Pharmacological action] Salicin can be hydrolyzed into salicinogen and glucose by boiling with dilute hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. Salicin can be used as a bittering agent (acting locally on the stomach). After absorption, it is partially converted into salicylic acid (antipyretic and analgesic), which is then quickly hydrolyzed. Since the degree of conversion of salicin to salicylic acid is not constant, the former cannot be used to replace the latter clinically. Salicin can be used as a local anesthetic at a concentration of 4-10% and is almost non-toxic.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, cold.

【Meridian】 "Depei Materia Medica": "enters the foot yangming and jueyin meridians."

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind, promote diuresis, relieve pain and reduce swelling. Treat rheumatic pain, gonorrhea, leucorrhea, urinary obstruction, infectious hepatitis, edema, furuncle, erysipelas, tooth decay, and gingival swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 2 liang. For external use: decoct in water for gargling or fumigation.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat turbid urine: a handful of willow branches and three grams of licorice. Decoction and drink it. (Behind the Elbow)

【Clinical Application】 ①Treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica". "Compendium of Materia Medica": The branches of poplar are hard and raised, so it is called poplar; the branches of willow are weak and hanging down, so it is called willow. They are two types of the same category. What Su Gong said is correct. According to Shuowen Jiezi, Yang means cattail and willow; it is derived from the character for wood and has the same pronunciation as Yi. It is also said in Er Ya that Yang is a kind of cattail willow; Mao is a kind of marsh willow; and Luo is a kind of river willow. From this, we can see that poplar can be called willow and willow can also be called poplar, so people in the south still call them both poplar and willow. Willow trees grow vertically, horizontally or vertically, and they will all grow where planted. When the tender ivy is born in early spring, it immediately blooms with yellow stamens. In late spring, when the leaves have grown, the flowers are formed with tiny black seeds. The stamens fall and the fluff comes out like white wool, which flies away in the wind. Its young shoots can be used as soup.

From the above introduction to willow branches, we can see that willow branches are of great help to the human body. They can improve some bad symptoms of the human body and are a very useful medicinal material for the human body.