Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Root, Young Shoot, Seed

Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Astringing

Caution: Infusions of leaves can be too bitter causing stomach disorders.

History/Folklore: Willowherb is often considered a weed in the garden. In WWII, it rapidly colonized derelict bomb sites during the many bombings of London. In America, it springs up on ground recently cleared by fire, lending it the name of “fireweed.” It has also been known to colonize sites disturbed by oil spills and so is often used to re-establish vegetation in these areas.

The young leaves, roots, and shoots are edible, with the shoots being eaten like you would eat asparagus.  The dried leaves make a good tea.

As fodder it is popular with goats and cows and sheep will eat it too.  It is believed in Finland to increase the milk production of cattle.

The down of the seeds has been mixed with cotton or fur in the manufacturing of stockings. Willowherb has been used in Russia as a tea substitute.

Native American Indians prepared a tea from the root to use as an enema to treat infant constipation. The peelings off the stems were dried and used to make strong cords for fishing.

Willowherb is emotionally considered useful for treating stress, the feeling of being burned out and for washing away an old way of life.

In China, typically only the seeds are used for treating Kidney Qi and Yang.

The name of the genus, Epilobium derives from the Greek words, “epi” meaning upon and “lobos,” meaning a pod, from the fact that the flowers stand upon the top of a long, thin, pod-like seed-vessel.