Willow Tea
Salix babylonica f. babylonica · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (16 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Willow Tea, scientifically known as Salix babylonica f. babylonica, is a traditional remedy derived from the bark of the weeping willow. Renowned for its natural salicylic acid content, it has been used for centuries to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and soothe fevers, serving as a precursor to modern aspirin.
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Common names
- Willow Tea
- Scientific synonyms
- Salix Babylonica F. Pendula · Salix Babylonica F. Pekinensis · 37 more
Names
Common Names
- Willow Tea
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Salix babylonica f. babylonicaSynonyms
- Salix babylonica f. pendula
- Salix babylonica f. pekinensis
- Salix matsudana var. pseudomatsudana
- Salix babylonica var. matsudana
- Salix lasiogyne subsp. yuhkii
- Salix babylonica foemina
- Salix matsudana f. lobatoglandulosa
- Salix babylonica var. pekinensis
- Salix matsudana f. pendula
- Salix babylonica var. lavalleei
- Salix babylonica f. seiko
- Salix pseudomatsudana
- Salix babylonica var. szechuanica
- Salix pseudogilgiana
- Salix pseudolasiogyne
- Salix pseudolasiogyne var. erythrantha
- Salix matsudana f. rubriflora
- Salix matsudana var. anshanensis
- Salix babylonica f. villosa
- Salix pingliensis
- Salix jishiensis
- Salix babylonica var. glandulipilosa
- Salix neolasiogyne
- Salix napoleonis
- Salix napoleona
- Salix matsudana
- Salix chinensis
- Salix subfragilis
- Salix cantoniensis
- Salix capitata
- Salix ohsidare
- Salix perpendens
- Salix lasiogyne
- Salix jeholensis
- Salix lenta
- Salix dependens
- Salix yuhkii
- Salix pseudolasiogyne var. bilofolia
- Ficus salix
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Salix as the specific cultivar Salix babylonica f. babylonica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Salicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Salix | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. Within South Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in Zimbabwe. It also maintains a significant range throughout Southern Africa, specifically within the Cape Provinces. Furthermore, the species can be found in the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Finally, its habitat extends to the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Salix babylonica f. babylonica, utilizes various components for its medicinal potential, most notably its leaves, which are often harvested for their chemical properties. The twigs also serve as a significant part of the plant's structure and medicinal profile, frequently being collected to prepare infusions or extracts. Furthermore, the twigs are utilized in traditional practices to harness the natural salicin content found within the woody stems.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Salix babylonica f. babylonica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4',7-Dihydroxyflavone, 7-Methoxyflavone, Isoquercitrin, Leonuriside A, Luteolin 7-O-glucoside.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 4',7-Dihydroxyflavone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-Methoxyflavone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isoquercitrin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leonuriside A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Luteolin 7-O-glucoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oregonin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Piceoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| matsudone A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salicin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
4',7-Dihydroxyflavone
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
7-Methoxyflavone
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Isoquercitrin
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Leonuriside A
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Luteolin 7-O-glucoside
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Oregonin
- International journal of molecular sciences
Piceoside
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
luteolin
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
matsudone A
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
salicin
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 70% methanol extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |