The Legend of the Pussy Willow name and when to harvest White Willow

According to the tale, the fable of the Pussy Willow goes;
a mother cat was crying on the bank of a river, as her kittens had fallen in while chasing butterflies and were drowning. 

The willow trees along the riverbank wanted to help, so they dipped their branches into the water to save the kittens, allowing them to cling to the limbs.

​The kittens were saved, but they left their soft, furry fur behind on the branches. Since then, willow branches sprout tiny, kitten, fur-like buds every spring in memory of this rescue. 

As the old poem goes; 

A Polish legend tells the tale,
of tiny kittens, ohs o frail.

Along the river's edge they chased.
Whith butterflies, they played and raced. 

They came too close to the river's side,
and thus, fell in. Their mother cried.

What could she do but weep and moan?
Her babies fate were yet unknown.

The willow, but the river, knew
just what it was that the must do;

They swept their graceful branches down
Into the waters, all around. 

To reach the kittens was their goal;
A rescue mission, hears and soul.

The kittens grasped the branches tight.
The willows saved them from their plight.

Each springtime since, the story goes, 
Willow branches now wear clothes.

Tiny fur like buds are sprung 
where little kittens had once clung.

And that's the legend, so they claim,
How Pussy Willows got their name!

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Other Willow Folklore

• "Knock on Wood": The idiom "knock on wood" to avoid bad luck is believed to have originated from the tradition of knocking on a willow tree.
• The Whispering One: In some Indigenous American beliefs referred to the willow as "The Whispering One," and it was used for protection.
• Sinister Associations: In some UK and European traditions, the willow was considered a sinister tree, feared to be able to uproot itself and stalk travelers.
• A "Tree of Woe": Because of its association with grief, it was believed in some areas (such as Louisiana) that if a willow grew large enough to cast a shadow over a grave, a family member would die.
• Water Divining: Due to its love of water, willow wood is traditionally used for finding water (divining) and for crafting wands.

The Quiet Power of Willow Bark: From Ancient Medicine to Modern Herbal Care​

Willow trees grow across much of the world, from Europe and North America to northern Asia and parts of Africa. For thousands of years people have turned to this quiet tree for relief from pain and fever.
Nearly 2,000 years ago the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended “willow leaves, mashed with a little pepper and drunk with wine” for lower back pain. During the Middle Ages, willow bark continued to be used throughout Europe to reduce fever and ease aches.
In 1899 the Bayer Company in Germany introduced a drug based on a synthetic compound similar to the active ingredient found in willow bark. That product eventually became one of the most recognized medicines in the world… aspirin.

Like aspirin, willow bark is a proven pain reliever, though it works more slowly and tends to last longer in the body. Traditionally it has been used for fever, colds, headaches, minor infections, and rheumatic aches.

On the farm, willow bark has found its way into several of our products including our Rosemary Hair Oil, Peppermint Hair Oil, White Fir Beard Oil, and our Easelixer ~ Create your own Elixer.

Willow contains a natural compound called salicin that gently exfoliates the scalp, helping remove dead skin, balance excess oil, and reduce dandruff. Its anti inflammatory plant compounds soothe irritation and help create a healthier environment where strong hair can grow.

​You will also find willow bark in our Easelixer blend, a plant that herbal traditions have long turned to when the body needs a little extra support.
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Each spring we harvest the young willow shoots at the same time the maple sap begins to run. The days rise above freezing while the nights still dip below zero. During this brief window the sap moves through the trees as they awaken from winter’s sleep. This is when the bark is richest and most potent, and when we gather what we need for the oils and elixirs we craft through the year.

Our registered White Willow tree at Mingle Hill Farm, one of the largest in Canada.​

Rosemary or Peppermint Hair Oil

CA$30.00

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White Fir Beard Oil

CA$30.00

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Create Your Own Elixir Kits

CA$35.00

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