Salix rosmarinifolia

Salix rosmarinifolia has a long, widespread record as a bitter, antipyretic and analgesic bark remedy taken as teas or decoctions, especially for fevers, colds, headaches, and rheumatic aches. In Central and Eastern Europe, an infusion of 1–2 teaspoons of bark per cup of hot water was commonly prepared, while in Andean Colombia and elsewhere in South America a decoction of fresh or dried bark was taken for “rheumatism” and fevers (Duke, 2008). Among Türkiye’s northeastern communities, bark infusions were likewise employed for headache and mild fever (Erdemoglu et al., 2003). As Grieve noted for European willow, the usual practice was a brief boiling of the bark in water to extract the inner bark, then an infusion to drink (Grieve, 1931).

Practical preparation: For a mild bark tea, simmer 1–2 teaspoons of dried inner bark in 250 ml water for 10–15 minutes, then let stand 5–10 minutes and strain. The dose is typically 1–2 cups per day, sipped warm (PFAF, 2022). Contraindicated for people allergic to aspirin or on anticoagulants/antiplatelet drugs; avoid in children and during pregnancy and lactation (Duke, 2008). Ethnobotanical field notes from Mapuche regions also describe willow bark infusions being taken for fevers and pain (Bennett et al., 2021).

Chemical constituents linked to these uses are the salicin glycosides and related salicylates, notably salicin, tremulacin, and populin, known to yield salicylate metabolites after ingestion, along with tannins and flavonoids that add astringency (PFAF, 2022; ESCOP, 2003). The association of salicin with fever and pain reduction explains the traditional anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions.

Modern relevance: While most clinical data concern other Salix species, Salix rosmarinifolia continues to be collected locally for bark teas, and the same phytochemicals make it of continued pharmacological interest (Erdemoglu et al., 2003).

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