Willow bark was used traditionally for fever, headache, pain, and rheumatic complaints. Leaves and stems usually have a purplish colouring. Flowers have pink petals at the end of a long tube. At maturity, the tube splits longitudinally to release large numbers of small, brown seeds, each with a plume of hairs which assists with wind dispersal.

1. Wound healing

A decoction is prepared from 1 teaspoon of dried bark simmered in 250 ml of water in a covered pan for ten minutes. Three to five cups of this decoction may be drunk each day.