Herb of the Month: Red Willow
Herb of the Month: Red Willow (Salix laevigata)
When I was driving home from Taos, New Mexico, there was an amazing artisan—Bernie—selling handmade drums on the side of the road. He was from the Red Willow tribe of Taos Pueblo. The drum I bought from him is made from deer skin and aspen wood, and its mallet crafted from red willow. That moment—rooted in place, tradition, and rhythm—has stayed with me as a reminder of how deeply plants are woven into culture and healing.
As the heat of summer begins to build, Pitta dosha naturally increases in the body and mind—manifesting as inflammation, irritability, and heat-related imbalances. In this season of fire, we turn to cooling, grounding allies from our local ecosystems. One such plant is Red Willow, a native medicine revered in many Indigenous traditions of Turtle Island and a gentle yet powerful ally in Ayurvedic energetics as well.
Red Willow (Salix laevigata) is a species of willow tree found near rivers and wetlands, especially throughout the American Southwest and California. You can find it along most rivers in Colorado. Traditionally, its bark and twigs are used for ceremonial, structural, and medicinal purposes by Indigenous communities. In herbalism, Red Willow holds astringent, anti-inflammatory, and cooling properties—making it an ideal summer herb, especially for excess heat and Pitta conditions.
Ayurvedic Herbal Energetics
Common Name: Red Willow
Botanical Name: Salix laevigata
Sanskrit (Comparable Plant): Gandira or Vetasa (often refers to water-loving plants like willows or reeds)
Parts Used: Bark and twigs
Rasa (Taste): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
Virya (Potency): Shita (cooling)
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu (pungent)
Guna (Qualities): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Reduces: Pitta and Kapha
May Increase: Vata if overused
Traditional Uses: Medicine, Craft, and Ceremony
Red Willow bark contains salicin, a natural compound that the body converts into salicylic acid—the basis for aspirin. This makes it a potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving plant, traditionally used for:
Headaches and fevers
Arthritic or muscular pain
Heat-related rashes or inflammatory skin conditions
Digestive inflammation
Its bitterness supports the liver and detoxification, while its astringency tones tissues and clears heat. Red Willow is also known to calm an overactive mind and soothe emotional heat—making it a valuable ally for mental clarity and peace during the intense summer months.
Basketry & Weaving
The long, flexible branches of Red Willow are used for basket weaving by many indigenous communities. Its pliable yet strong form makes it ideal for crafting functional and ceremonial items, reminding us that medicine isn't always taken—it’s also woven, carried, and held.
Drumming & Ceremony
Red Willow is often used to make drumsticks for hand drums like the ones Bernie makes. When shaped and used in rhythm, it becomes an instrument of connection—between body and earth, breath and spirit. This use highlights the sacred, relational aspect of plant medicine that Ayurveda deeply honors.
Subtle & Spiritual Uses
Red Willow is more than a physical medicine—it is a plant of deep spiritual significance. Many traditions associate Red Willow with purification, boundaries, and ritual protection. In sweat lodges or ceremonial fires, its smoke is used to clear stagnant energy, honor ancestors, and connect with spirit.
In Ayurveda, we can align with this subtle intelligence by using Red Willow in our spiritual practices—through meditation, offerings, or bathing rituals that invite cooling, grounding, and emotional release.
Recipes
Summer Ritual: Red Willow Infused Bath
A beautiful way to receive the medicine of Red Willow is through a cooling summer bath that soothes inflamed skin and calms the nervous system.
Ingredients:
A small handful of Red Willow bark (dried or fresh)
Optional: wild rose petals
A few drops of coconut or sandalwood oil
Instructions:
Make a strong infusion by simmering Red Willow bark in a quart of water for 20–30 minutes.
Strain and pour the infusion into a cool or lukewarm bath.
Soak for at least 20 minutes, allowing the medicine to calm and cleanse the body and mind.line can make all the difference.
Tincture Recipe: Red Willow Bark
Making your own tincture is a powerful way to preserve and work with Red Willow’s cooling, anti-inflammatory properties throughout the summer season.
Ingredients:
Fresh or dried Red Willow bark (harvested ethically)
100-proof vodka or other high-proof alcohol (50% alcohol)
Clean glass jar with lid
Dropper bottles for storage
Instructions:
Remove outer bark of the willow using a vegetable peeler when the willow is fresh
Fill a jar ⅔ full with the bark.
Cover completely with alcohol, leaving a little space at the top.
Label with the date and contents. Shake daily for 4–6 weeks.
Strain and store in amber dropper bottles out of direct sunlight.
Dosage:
5–15 drops as needed for inflammation, tension headaches, or joint discomfort. Best taken with meals or in a little warm water.
Note: Always consult a qualified herbalist or practitioner before using regularly.
Note: You can add the tincture to hot water so the alcohol evaporates.
Cooling Red Willow Face Toner
A clarifying facial toner made with Red Willow bark (Salix laevigata), traditionally used to soothe the skin, cleanse wounds, and reduce inflammation.
Willow bark is the original source of salicin, the natural compound the body converts to salicylic acid—well-known in modern skincare for its gentle exfoliating, pore-clearing, and acne-fighting properties.
This makes Red Willow an ideal summertime ally for Pitta-prone skin—hot, inflamed, sensitive, or breakout-prone. In Ayurvedic terms, it soothes excess rakta and pitta in the tvak dhatu (skin tissue), helping to purify the blood and calm the surface.
Benefits:
Gently exfoliates and unclogs pores
Reduces redness and irritation
Tones and tightens
Soothes heat and blemishes
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried Red Willow bark (or 2 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
½ teaspoon dried rose petals (optional, for added cooling and scent)
1 cup distilled water
Optional: 1 teaspoon witch hazel (for extra astringency)
Instructions:
In a small pot, combine Red Willow and rose petals with water.
Bring to a simmer and let it gently cook for 20–30 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar or bottle.
Optional: Stir in witch hazel
Store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
To Use:
Apply with a cotton pad or mist onto clean skin morning and evening. Especially supportive after sun exposure, during breakouts, or when skin feels hot, reactive, or irritated.
** for more experienced herbalists, I would recommend making a hydrosol instead
With its cooling energetics, deep-rooted tradition, and versatility, Red Willow is a true summer ally—working across the physical, emotional, and spiritual layers. From tincture to bath, from basket to drum, from skin to soul, Red Willow offers more than healing—it offers relationship.
This season, let Red Willow teach you the rhythm of cooling, cleansing, and releasing. Sit with it. Make medicine with it. Ask it how it wants to be known.
Disclaimer: Recommendations, not medical advise. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any herbs or supplements, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medication. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or preparations discussed in this article.