Willows

Salix sp.

The fine bark taken from the branches of young willows may be a cure for nausea. The bark is also a treatment for fever, cough, rheumatism, urinary and heart troubles and a variety of aches, such as arthralgia and headache.

There are about 30 different willow species in Finland. Ten out of them grow only in Lapland (for example, the dwarf willow, grayleaf willow and woolly willow). The most common willow in Lapland is the downy willow (Salix lapponum). Willows produce hybrids easily; however, the hybrids are not considered separate species. Willow leaves and bark contain salicin, which turns into saligen and then into salicyl acid in the human gastrointestinal tract. Salicyl acid is used as a mild painkiller.