Salix babylonica L.
Liǔ Yè (Willow Leaf) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the leaf of Salix babylonica L., a plant of the Salicaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, detoxifies, promotes diuresis, calms the liver, relieves pain, and promotes eruption of rashes.
Indications
Used for chronic bronchitis, urethritis, cystitis, urinary bladder stones, turbid urine (leukorrhea-like discharge), hypertension, carbuncles and toxic swellings, burns and scalds, joint swelling and pain, toothache, measles (scarlet fever-like rash), and skin pruritus. It is also used for boils and furuncles, mastitis, acute rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: Willow leaf extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. The volatile oils and extracts of willow leaves show good inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Shigella dysenteriae, Candida albicans, and other microorganisms. Antioxidant effect: Willow leaves possess antioxidant activity. Lipid-lowering and antihypertensive effects: Modern research has found that willow leaves have lipid-lowering and antihypertensive effects. They may be used clinically as an adjunctive treatment for hypertension and other conditions. Antipyretic effect: The volatile oils from willow leaves and stems have antipyretic effects in rats. Other effects: Willow leaves may be used clinically as an adjunctive treatment for upper respiratory tract infections, tracheitis, and other conditions.
Ingredients
Tannins: Dry weight content approximately 4.93%. Iodine: Fresh willow leaves contain approximately 10 mg of iodine per kilogram, which is several thousand times higher than that in most common foods. Trace Elements: Rich in trace elements such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). Volatile Oils: Willow leaves and stems contain volatile oil components. Other Components: Compounds such as catechol, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, chrysophanol, and physcion have been isolated from the leaves of Salix matsudana (dryland willow).
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 15–30g; fresh leaves may be used at 30–60g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for washing; or mashed for application; or ground into powder and mixed for application; or prepared into an ointment for application.
Contraindications
Not suitable for patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Not suitable for use during pregnancy. Not suitable for individuals with a constitutionally cold-deficiency pattern. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to willow buds. Use with caution in those who have recently recovered from a major illness, as well as patients with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, gastroptosis, or general debility.
Selected Formulas
For chronic bronchitis in the elderly (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 60g each of fresh weeping willow leaves, fresh chestnut leaves, and fresh arborvitae leaves. Decoct in water (boil for over 1 hour) and drink. One course lasts 10 days, followed by a 2-3 day interval, then a second course. For bladder stones (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g each of weeping willow leaves, red beans, and corn silk (or corn root and leaves), plus 15g each of Huashi (Talc) and Huangbai (Phellodendron). Decoct in water and drink one dose daily. For hypertension (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 250g of fresh willow leaves. Decoct and concentrate to 100ml, take in two divided doses. One course lasts 6 days. For furuncles and mastitis (National Exhibition of New TCM Therapies Data Compilation) Chop willow leaves, boil until soft, filter, and concentrate to a syrup-like consistency for external application. For turbid urine (Binhu Jijian Fang) Take Qingming willow leaves (willow leaves picked around Qingming Festival), decoct in water and drink as tea until recovery.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral use: Take 15–30g of dried willow leaves (or 30–60g of fresh leaves), decoct in water, and drink the liquid. It may be used as an adjunctive treatment for chronic bronchitis, urethritis, cystitis, and other related conditions. Willow Leaf Tea: Wash the tender willow leaves collected around the Qingming Festival, decoct them in water, and drink frequently as a tea. It helps clear heat, promote diuresis, promote eruption of rashes, and detoxify. Willow Leaf Ointment for External Application: Finely chop fresh willow leaves and cook until soft, then strain and concentrate the liquid to a syrup-like consistency. Apply externally to the affected area. It may be used for boils, furuncles, mastitis, and other related conditions.
Medicinal Parts
Leaf.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place.
