RED WILLOW BARK Cansasa Native American Botanical Smudge Sage Herb 1 Ounce Pack

RED WILLOW BARK

• Product- Smudge Sage
• Sage Type-   Red Willow Bark
• Origin- Native American Indian, Tree Bark 
• Tradition-  Ceremony, Ritual, Pow Wow, Ritual, Sweat Lodge, Spiritual, Sacred, Prayers, Cleansing, Prayers, Purifying
• Herbal- Natural, Organic, Smoke, Smudging Herb, Dried, 100% Natural
• Package- Bundle, Stick, Wand, Chopped

Red willow bark is a primary ingredient in most native smoking mixes. This bark is the basic ingredient of traditional Plains Indian smoking mixtures. Known as the “canasa” to the Lakota, Red Willow Bark is a spiritually important herb within the Native American culture.

Red Willow Bark is seasonal, and is only gathered after hard freezes in the fall and only until the first Thunder sounds in the spring or when the trees sap production decreases. It comes from the inner bark of the Red Osier Dogwood tree. The bark has a sweet woodsy aroma.

Native American uses of Red Willow Bark

• Smoking Mixture: Red Willow can be smoked by itself or blended with tobacco and other herbs like bearberry, osha, and sumac. Used alone*, the bark produces a mild and pleasant smelling smoke; when mixed with tobacco**, this woodsy smelling smoke adds depth to the overall aroma.
• Sacred Pipe: When combined with tobacco and smoked in a sacred pipe, this dried bark has been used to end conflicts between individuals or seal agreements between leaders of different groups. Used with the sacred pipe, Red Willow can also be used to make offerings to the spirits during times of prayer.
• Tobacco Ties: These small sacred bundles made of offering cloth usually include tobacco and other herbs (like Red Willow). They are typically made during ceremony and carry a very special purpose – to pray for someone who is ill or remember someone who has passed into the spirit world.

Ideal season for Red Willow Bark: Winter
Red Willow Bark is an especially popular herb at this time of year, as it is usually gathered during the winter months “when thunder is not present” (or when the tree’s sap production decreases); typically between the first frost and the first thunderstorm of the spring.

* Red Willow smoke is not addictive like tobacco. It has not been found to cause mood alteration or other psychogenic activity.

** Tobacco has had a sacred purpose within the Native American culture for thousands of years. Sacred use of tobacco does not include the use of commercial tobacco products.

Medicinal Uses of Red Willow Bark                                                                                         

Red willow bark is a popular medicinal plant used by Native Americans in many forms. It can be made into tea or tincture, or can be chewed raw. It can also be smoked or puffed like a tobacco or cigarette for effects in the lungs, air passage, stomach, eyes, ears and the bloodstream. Although the effectiveness and safety of red willow bark has not been proven, many Native Americans regularly make use of the plant.

Remedy for Coughs, Colds and Fevers

• The red willow bark is often made into tea as a remedy for colds. It is also used as an emetic for coughs and fevers. The bark is boiled in water, then the decoction is strained and drunk warm. According to Fredda Paul, a member of the Passamaquoddy who practices traditional tribal medicine, smoking red willow rolled into a cigarette is effective in cleansing the body and relieving coughs and colds as it goes directly into the lungs and into the bloodstream.

Relieving Headaches and Migraines

• As a relief for headaches and migraines, the red willow bark is usually mixed with wild sage then smoked a couple of puffs at a time every two hours. It can also be taken as a tincture or tea. Apart from relieving headaches and migraines, its relaxing effects help those suffering from insomnia to get a good night's sleep.

Relieving Nausea

• Whether ingested or smoked, red willow bark opens the liver and digestive organs, allowing the settling of a queasy stomach almost instantly. A couple of puffs can help relieve nausea. It is also used by people who just underwent chemotherapyto relieve nausea and promote a better physical state.

Eye and Ear Medicine

• Chewing on the dry bark of red willow can be an excellent medicine for the eyes. It can help heal pink eye or conjunctivitis, as well as improve eye function for those suffering from cataracts and macular degeneration. The bark can also be infused into extra-virgin olive oil. The oil mixture is strained carefully and refrigerated prior to use, then one drop is used to massage the eye or eyelid every morning and evening.

All information in this writing has been gathered for research for your information. We are not experts on these herbs. We provide the sale of them for you and assume you are aware of their use.

Since the dawn of times plants have been our sacred connection to our mother earth. Plants feed, cure, and shelter us; and legends abound of the power of chosen plants to heal and protect the wise. Native traditions relate that wherever sage and cedar are used, no evil influences may enter.

 To “smudge” is to purify with smoke from certain sacred herbs. The sacred ritual of purifying with smoke comes from native peoples in both North and South America. In North America the smoke is created by burning sacred herbs such as sage, cedar, sweet grass and juniper. Smoke may be used to purify the body, spirit, pet, home, office and healing rooms, any space or item in your world

 This smudge stick is 100% natural aromatic botanicals. The herbs were gathered in an ecologically sound and respectful way. The plants are not harmed and nothing is wasted. These bundles are made for you as tools of empowerment!