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Willow, White

Botanical: Salix alba (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Salicaceae

---Synonym---European Willow.
---Part Used---Bark.
---Habitat---Central and Southern Europe.

---Description---A large tree with a rough greyish bark, the twigs being brittle at the base; the leaves are pubescent on both surfaces and finely serrulate; it hybridizes with other species of Salix, it flowers in April and May and the bark is easily separable throughout the summer; flowers and leaves appear coincidently from March to June.

---Constituents---The bark contains up to 13 per cent of tannin as its chief constituent, also a small quantity of salicin.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Tonic, antiperiodic and astringent. It has been used in dyspepsia connected with debility of the digestive organs. In convalescence from acute diseases, in worms, in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, its tonic and astringent combination renders it very useful.

---Dosages---1 drachm of the powdered root. 1 or 2 fluid ounces of the decoction.