"Lunar eclipse"

charcoal

dual tasking project done this Spring. made my own charcoal drawing sticks and dried Weeping Willow bk Salix babylonica. White Willow Salix alba is typically used for both charcoal sticks and as a medicinal in Western herbalism. Salix spp have similar properties of varying amounts salicylic acid and other constituent properties. Linden Tilia grandifolia can also be used for making the sticks and is also a good herb used often in cardio applications medicinally where anxiety, insomnia and cold are symptomatic.

materials used:
2 cap steel pipe (@$6 for this 6" pipe/caps) will last for many years of use and comes in lengths up to many feet)
green Willow Salix babylonica branch
fire/hot coals

- strip bark from green 1/4" - 1+" long cut branch of Willow. (give thanks to the tree spirit, Earth, and the elements, and your own abilities!)
- set bark strips on metal screen, cotton cheesecloth to dry in airy, warm, dark space to dry. place in airtight glass tightly capped jar for storage in dark, cool space.
- place green sticks inside pipe available at hardware, electrical supply stores or metal junk yards. screw caps on to air tight the container and place in wood stove, kiln, yard fire or barbecue, etc. and allow to cook for 5 -12 hrs. remove when cooled or with prongs to set aside and cool. remove sticks and
- enjoy your new art supply and medicinal.

cost for my small bounty of sticks cooked inside 6" pipe runs anywhere from $8 - $10 retail.

Willow bark is a good anti inflammatory though not for all constitutions. it is cooling and Turmeric, for instance, would be a better application with Vata and some Pita Doshas and with situations where inflammation is caused by cold conditions like chillblain or Chillblain Lupus.

here's one good medicinal informational link for Salix;

http://www.backtothelandnaturalfoods.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=8277E28769C14CACAFA69116098EDF57&DocID=bottomline-willowbar

*always consult with a knowledgeable health care professional