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Willow (willow). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Willow (willow), Salix. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Willow (Salix)

Family: Willow (Salicaceae)

Origin: Europe, Asia, North America

Area: Distributed throughout the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. It is found on all continents, including the Arctic and Antarctic.

Chemical composition: The bark and leaves contain salicylic glycosides, which are precursors to aspirin. It also contains flavonoids, catechins and other biologically active substances.

Economic value: It is used for the production of paper, plywood, wood products, furniture, as well as for the creation of forest plantations in order to protect soil from erosion. In medicine, willow bark and leaves are used as analgesics and antipyretics. Various varieties of willow are popular for decorative purposes, such as tissue willow and weeping willow.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In ancient Roman mythology, willow was associated with the goddess of motherhood and fertility - Juno. According to legend, Juno grew a willow to protect her daughter, the goddess of motherhood, and all the children that are born under her rule. In Celtic mythology, willow was associated with the goddess of love and beauty - Aphrodite. According to legend, Aphrodite gave the willow its magical properties, and it became a symbol of beauty, tenderness and love. In folk medicine, willow has been used to treat many ailments such as headaches, fevers, joint pains, and rheumatism. It has also been used to improve digestion and treat skin conditions. In medieval Europe, willow was associated with magic and sorcery. It was used in amulets and spells to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

Willow (willow), Salix. Description, illustrations of the plant

Willow (willow). Legends, myths, history

In ancient Greek mythology, the willow was dedicated to the goddesses Hekate, Hera and Persephone. Willow rod - the emblem of the goddess of hunting Artemis and a symbol of childbearing. Thanks to its bending, but not breaking branches, this tree among the Taoists symbolized strength in weakness. In Japan, it was an emblem of perseverance and patience.

In the mythology of some other countries, willow is opposed to trees that break under the pressure of a storm. Flexible willow branches under the gusts of any wind remain intact. For the Chinese, willow is a symbol of femininity, grace and charm. In Sumerian culture, willow was personified with fun and happiness.

According to the biblical legend, during the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the people greeted him as the King with branches of a date palm. The one where palm trees do not grow, for the services in honor of Palm Sunday, Christians bring not palm, but willow branches. Christians decorate the interiors of Orthodox churches and their homes with consecrated willow branches.

In the old days in European countries, there was a curious way of New Year's divination for the betrothed: on New Year's Eve, the fortuneteller must throw his boot into the crown of a willow tree. If the shoes get stuck in the branches, then soon he will meet his other half.

Author: Martyanova L.M.

Willow. Myths, traditions, symbolism

While similarities prevail in the understanding of some symbols in Europe and East Asia, they differ greatly in assessing the symbolic meaning of the willow.

The prevailing view in the Mediterranean was that the willow dropped its seeds before they reached maturity, and as a result it was considered barren and presented as a graphic image of virginity (chastity) and an ideal source material for achieving continence. Since she, like a never-ending source of vitality, constantly grows cut off branches, she was compared with the Bible - an inexhaustible source of wisdom.

Origen (185-254) promised a "harvest festival of eternity" to all those who kept intact the "willow branches" of their chastity.

In the Middle Ages and later, willow was valued as one of the plants that can put up a barrier or "block" disease-causing substances and thereby help cure the disease.

Palm earrings, consecrated on Palm Sunday, are brought into the house to protect it from all evil (especially from lightning).

"Weeping" willows, because of their "dreary" hanging branches, are considered a symbol of death and are used as a cemetery plant.

In Athens, Demstra-Thesmophoria (legislators, organizers) was used in the fertility festival, women put willow branches in bed to drive away snakes (or, perhaps, to attract snake-like fertility demons?).

A decoction of willow bark was valued as the most important remedy for rheumatism.

In ancient China, the willow was definitely an erotic symbol of spring: the priestesses of love were called "flowers and willows."

The female waist was called "willow", the eyebrows of beautiful women were compared with a wave of willow leaves.

The young girl was called "tender willow", "fresh flower".

In addition, willow branches were valued as a means of protecting against demons.

Willow branches were given by the official's friends and girlfriends as parting gifts when he was transferred to the provinces.

Author: Biedermann G.

Willow Bredina (goat willow), Salix caprea. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Willow family, class Dicotyledonous, department Angiosperms.

Iva Bredina is a shrub or a low sprawling tree up to 10 m high. It grows in forests, among bushes, along river banks.

The branches are dark gray, almost black. Young shoots have a slight grayish pubescence. The leaves are rather large, elliptical, serrate, with sharp ends, arranged alternately on the shoot.

Blooms in April. The flowers do not have petals and sepals, collected in large dangling catkins. The kidneys are dressed with one scale, which looks like a cap. The fruit is a box.

Willow goat blooms before the leaves appear. The flowers have 1-3 small honey glands (nectaries) that attract pollinating insects. They collect sticky pollen, which is very abundant in willow flowers. Among willows, goat is considered the best honey plant.

Willow flowers are unisexual. Male staminate flowers, collected in large bright yellow catkins, and female pistillate, forming less noticeable greenish inflorescences, are located on different trees. Each flower sits in the axil of a small bract. The bracts have long hairs that give the earring a silvery sheen.

The leaves of the tree on the underside have a grayish-white pubescence. It protects the plant from excessive evaporation of moisture. Dry fruits-boxes ripen in May. Small seeds are equipped with a tuft of fine hairs. Due to this, they are easily carried by the wind over considerable distances.

Willow bark is used for tanning and dyeing leather. Dense wood is used for the manufacture of various household items. The plant also has medicinal value.

Authors: Kozlova T.A., Sivoglazov V.I.

Willow. reference Information

Willow is a widely known and very popular plant among the people, found everywhere from the subtropics to the tundra. With a strong decoction of willow bark and burdock roots, they wash their hair to cure excessive dandruff and strengthen hair. With sweating of the hands and feet, baths are made from a decoction of willow bark: 2 tablespoons of willow bark are boiled for 10 minutes in 2 glasses of water, a spoonful of vinegar is added.

With armpit sweating, 20 g of red (dry) shelugi bark is poured with a glass of boiling water and allowed to boil for 15-20 minutes, cooled, 0,5 cups of vodka, a spoonful of vinegar and 10 g of alum are added. With this mixture, wipe the skin under the armpits with a cotton swab. After 3-4 days, sweating decreases sharply. In case of resumption of sweating after a few months, the course of treatment is repeated.

Powder or decoction of brittle and white willow bark is added to water to kill various bacteria and microbes.

Author: Reva M.L.

Willow (willow), Salix. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• Flu and cold treatment: Mix 1 teaspoon of crushed willow bark with 1 cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Take 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
• Headache treatment: Mix 2 tablespoons of crushed willow bark with 1 cup boiling water. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes, then strain. Take 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
• Arthritis treatment: Mix 2 tablespoons of crushed willow bark with 1 cup boiling water. Leave to infuse for 30-40 minutes, then strain. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
• Treatment of kidney disease: Mix 2 tablespoons of crushed willow bark with 1 cup boiling water. Leave to infuse for 30-40 minutes, then strain. Take 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
• Treatment of skin diseases: prepare an infusion of willow bark and use to wipe the affected areas of the skin.
• Edema treatment: prepare an infusion of willow bark and apply as a compress to the site of swelling.

Cosmetology:

• Mask for the face: Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed willow bark with 1 tablespoon of low-fat yogurt. Apply to face and leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Face tonic: Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed willow leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Use as a toner to hydrate and refresh skin.
• Face cream: mix 1 tablespoon of willow oil with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply to face and massage until completely absorbed.
• Cleansing scrub: Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed willow bark with 1 tablespoon of honey and some water. Massage the skin in circular motions for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Bathing: Add 1-2 cups of willow bark infusion to a bath of warm water. Take a bath for 15-20 minutes to moisturize and soothe the skin.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Willow (willow), Salix. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Willow, or willow (Salix), is a plant from the willow family that grows throughout the world.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing willow:

Cultivation:

• Willow prefers moist places and fertile soil. It can grow both in a sunny place and in the shade.
• Willow can be propagated through seeds, cuttings or grafting.
• The plant should be watered regularly, especially during periods of heat and drought.
• Organic fertilizers such as compost or humus can be used to improve the quality of the soil around the willow.

Workpiece:

• Willow can be used to make teas, syrups, oils, and other medicinal preparations.
• You can use fresh or dried willow leaves to make tea.
• Leaves should be harvested in early summer when they are still fresh and juicy.
• To dry willow leaves, they must be placed on a sheet of paper and left in a shady place until completely dry.

Storage:

• Fresh willow leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
• If willow leaves have been harvested in excess, they can be frozen for long-term storage. To do this, they need to be cut, then packed in an airtight bag or container and frozen.
• Dried willow leaves can be stored in a dry and cool place in tightly sealed containers.

Willow is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It may also be useful for treating arthritis, colds, headaches, and other ailments. However, before using willow as a medicine, you should consult your doctor.

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