When I think of willow, of course my mind drifts straight to The Wind in the Willows. But more than that, I think of movement. That soft, flowing dance of the branches in the wind. A strong gust comes, but the willow doesn’t snap or fight against it. It bends with ease, sways with the storm, and waits patiently for the wind to pass before returning to itself again.

That’s the energy I feel every time I step into the world of willow medicine.

(And as an avid lover of all things frog shout out to my first love and greatest frog of all time, Kermit the Frog, I still secretly hope that one day the Toad from The Wind in the Willows will appear from beneath a willow tree somewhere.)

So, let’s have a wander into the world of willow and see what she has to teach us.

White willow’s Latin name is Salix alba, though there are a few different species that can be used medicinally. Around me, white willow is the one I come across most often.

The bark, leaves, and catkins can all be used.

Willow loves damp places. You’ll often find her lining rivers and thriving in boggy, wet ground where many other trees would struggle to survive. In the body, willow works in a similar way, helping to clear out that inflammatory “sogginess” that can settle into the joints and tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, and heaviness.

There’s so much wisdom in willow. She teaches us flexibility, both physically and emotionally. Willow can literally grow from nothing more than a stick pushed into the ground. Talk about resilience.

Medicinally, willow can be taken safely over long periods of time to help ease pain and inflammation in the joints. She’s especially lovely for the discomfort of arthritis and gout.

Because willow is also fever-reducing helping to bring heat out to the surface and open the pores she can be a wonderful herb to support those fiery menopausal hot flushes. Or, as a few of my friends lovingly call it, “the absolute shit show.” of menopause.

Willow is traditionally used to help calm inflammation linked with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and rheumatic pain.

She’s also a good bitter tonic, helping to wake up a sluggish digestive system and get things moving again. Willow has gentle diuretic actions too, making her useful in blends for urinary inflammation and irritation.

Topically, willow bark is brilliant for angry skin and acne. It’s astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory and it’s one of the herbs I use in my beloved “Banjaxed Balm.”

In Bach flower remedies, willow is associated with helping shift resentment, bitterness, and self-pity, encouraging us to soften and move with life rather than harden against it.

The Magic of Willow

Willow has long been tied to love, protection, the moon, femininity, intuition, divination, and healing. The leaves were traditionally carried to attract love, while willow’s deep connection with water reminds us of cycles, rhythms, and the ebb and flow of life itself.

She teaches us how to bend without breaking.

A Little Willow Folklore

In medieval times, wearing sprigs of willow symbolised grief and mourning. Wands made from willow wood were said to be favourites amongst sorcerers and healers alike. Some folk traditions even believed that knocking on a willow tree could help avert evil.

Lovely Herbs to Combine with Willow

Willow pairs beautifully with:

• Cramp bark for tension and cramping pain
• Meadowsweet for inflammation and digestive support
• Jamaican dogwood for deeper pain relief blends

You can work with willow as a tea, tincture, infused oil, or in capsules.