Salix root refers to the root of the willow family plant, red willow. It can be harvested and used fresh or dried throughout the year. It has the effects of detoxification, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat mastitis and ulcers. Now let's take a look at the efficacy and usage of Salix root!
【Morphological Characteristics】
It is a shrub with no hair on the small branches. The new branches have short hairs at first, but become hairless later. The buds are ovate or elliptic, initially hairy but later hairless. The leaves are opposite or oblique, lanceolate, 5-10cm long, 1-1.2cm wide.
The apex is shortly acuminate, the base is wedge-shaped, and the margin has glandular serrations. It is initially hairy but becomes hairless. The veins are dense, and both sides of the mature leaves are hairless. The stipules are ovate or obliquely ovate.
The flowers bloom before the leaves, 2-3cm long, opposite or alternate, without peduncles, with 2-3 elliptic black scales densely covered with long soft hairs at the base; the bracts are ovate, black, and have long soft hairs on both sides;
There is 1 gland on the abdomen; there are 2 stamens, the filaments are fused, hairless, and the anthers have 4 chambers; the ovary is densely covered with gray hairs, the stalk is short, and the style is 0.1-0.2mm long, with a head-shaped stigma. It blooms in April and bears fruit in May.
【Harvest and Storage】
Salix root can be harvested and used fresh or dried throughout the year.
【Habitat Distribution】
Salix root grows in shrubs on slopes at an altitude of 1000-1600 meters. It is distributed in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hubei, and other places.
【Medicinal Efficacy】
Salix root has a bitter taste and a neutral nature. It has the effects of detoxification, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat mastitis and ulcers.
【Usage and Dosage】
External use: appropriate amount, pulverize and apply.
"Compendium of Materia Medica": used to treat mastitis and various swellings. Apply it fresh and pulverized.
