Willow tree: what it is and trivia
Ancient known to mankind, willows have medicinal properties and are associated with Roman mythology
Edited and resized image by Peggy Choucair is available on Pixabay
Willow is a popular name for plants of the genus. Salix, of the family Salicaceae, the most common species being the weeping willow (Salix x chrysocoma), a white willow hybrid (Salix alba, L.) with a kind of oriental willow (Salix babylonica, L.). Willows have been known and used by mankind since ancient times. In conventional medicine it is the raw material for the compound salicylic acid, popularly known by the trade name "aspirin".
Willow Products
Willow is used as an ornamental plant, a wind barrier for growing areas, a water de-pollutant and a raw material for the production of wicker.
The use of willow in aspirin production
The use of willow leaves and bark for pain relief purposes dates back thousands of years, with the ancient Egyptians uprooting trees to ease joint pain. In 1897, a synthetic version of the active ingredient, salicylic acid, was produced and later marketed under the name aspirin, which became one of the most widely used medicines in the world.
Willow fighting cancer
Scientists of Rothamsted Research of the UK and cancer biologists at the University of Kent have discovered another chemical in willow trees with great potential. Called miyabeacin, scientists have found it may be useful in treating cancers resistant to existing drugs.
This substance contains two groups of salicin that provide a double dose of anti-inflammatory and clotting capacity, usually associated with aspirin. This means that willow has potential use in fighting cancer cells.
willow in symbology
In ancient Rome, willow was associated with the goddess Juno, being used to stop bleeding and prevent abortion.
In China, the willow was associated with the idea of immortality, due to its characteristic of growing even if it is planted upside down.
