Willow Bark

Botanical Name: Salix alba.

Other Common Names: Willow bark, white willow, salix.

TCM Name: Liu Shu Pi

Meridians: Bladder, Kidney, Heart

Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Clears Heat/Reduces Inflammation: damp heat in the bladder, painful urination, dark burning urine, joint, throat, mouth and eye inflammations, wounds, ulcerations, eczema, burns, gangrene, headaches.  Promotes Yin: heart and kidney yin deficiency with unrest, insomnia, sexual erethism, spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, low tidal fevers in Shao Yin stage. Supports Stomach Qi: aids slow painful digestion.

Habitat: White willow bark, as its name implies is a member of the willow family. Predominantly grown in Central and Southern Europe and Northern America.

Plant Description: This deciduous tree grows to a significant height of 20-30m. It has long branches that drape toward the ground and the leaves are long, thin and narrow, with fine pale hairs on the underside of the…