Medicinal Monday - Solstice Gathering of Red Willow Bark

The holiday season is upon us and winter solstice is around the corner. Winter Solstice has been acknowledged in different ways by various cultures throughout the world including Native Americans. December 21 is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and many Native Americans have different solstice traditions that include dance, storytelling, and plants.  The Assiniboine/Sioux of South Dakota, for example, used this time of year to gather red willow bark.

About Red Willow Bark
Cornus sericea is a species of dogwood that are generally found throughout northern and western North America including Connecticut. It is a deciduous shrub that grows six to twelve feet high and thrives in wetland areas. This dogwood usually blooms in May and June and produces small white flowers that grow in clusters.  The dark green leaves are about 2-4 inches long and grow opposite from one another; they turn bright red to purple in the fall. When this plant is left unattended it grows to create thick vegetation near the water in the form of dense thickets. The fruit is a small white berry.

Winter Harvesting 
The bark and twigs of the Red Willow tree are reddish to purple and after the leaves have fallen, the branches turn a deep burgundy color. The proper way to harvest this tree is during the winter "after the last thunder" that refers to the fact that the tree's sap is now located in the roots.  In the winter, cansasa or red willow tastes the best. When harvested properly, the root will be left intact so the plant will survive.  Only the bigger branches are cut, so the smaller ones can grow and be cut later.

The outer bark is shaved off in a long strip revealing a green film that is also stripped off. A pile of shavings from the wood is dried by hanging it or laying it out to dry. The aroma of this wood is sweet and woodsy.

Medicinal and Ceremonial Uses

Some Plateau Indigenous tribes ate the berries to treat a sore throat. The Cree in Hudson Bay used a decoction of the bark to treat colds, coughs, and fevers. The Thompson considered the fruit as a tonic to promote health and is used to treat intestinal worms. A decoction of this plant combined with squaw current branches, fir or tamarack was used as a baby bath. Wild roses and the branches of the red willow and chokecherry trees were combined and used to treat digestive problems.

The Ojibwa would smoke the bark for various ceremonies. Known as cansasa in Lakota, the inner bark was smoked as traditional tobacco and sometimes mixed with other plants. To the Lakota, this plant was smoked during various ceremonies to show respect or give spiritual protection. It was also shared with close friends and family to promote kinship.

Did You Know...

The dogwood family is considered an ornamental tree in landscaping because of its spring flowers summer foliage, and fruit.

Sericea means silky and describes the texture of the leaves.

Whitetail deer, songbirds, insects, and rodents eat the summer fruit of this tree.

This tree is frequently used for waterway bank erosion because the roots provide excellent soil retention.