White Willow Bark

Botanical Name: Salix alba

Common Names: Willow, Salicin Willow

This is a moon plant, probably because of its love for water (it prefers to grow near streams) and because the undersides of its leaves, which are shown when the wind blows, are white.  It is said to be one of the 7 sacred trees of the Irish and was important in Druidism, and its branches were woven into baskets to hold sacrifices.  It was connected to death-associated figures like Morgan le Fay, Cailleach, and the Morighan, and in the 19th century was popular for graveyard planting.  In Greek mythology, this tree is sacred to Hekate, Circe, Persephone, and Hera.  The besom was bound with willow in honor of Hekate. This tree is considered to represent handcrafters, since it is one of the primary fibers used in basketry.  It is said be effective for contacting the spirits of the dead when combined with sandalwood and burned during the Waning Moon.

Warning: Use in persons with sensitivity to aspirin or other salicylate-containing drugs is cautioned. Use in persons with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is cautioned.