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Apothecary

tea

Willow bark decoction

Adult ache and low fever tea from creek willow. Treat it like aspirin that tastes of wet wood.

No children or teens with viral illness. No aspirin allergy, no blood thinners, no third-trimester pregnancy, no bleeding ulcers. This is the same chemical family as the pill in the med chest.

Time
20 minutes
Yield
1–2 cups

Method

  1. 1.In spring, cut a pencil-thick new willow shoot. Peel or scrape the green inner bark. Dry it on paper for later, or use fresh (use a bit more).
  2. 2.Simmer 1–2 tsp dried inner bark in 1½ cups water, 10 minutes. Strain.
  3. 3.Honey and a mint leaf make it drinkable.
Dose
One cup, up to twice a day, adult only, short use.
Store
Dry bark in a jar, a year.

Herbs

For