WIERZBA W LUDOWYCH ZABIEGACH LECZNICZYCH
THE WILLOW TREE IN THE MEDICAL FOLK RITUALS

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses one aspect of linguistic folk vision of the willow tree reconstructed on the basis of the documentation that includes the selected quotations from folk texts, proverbs, descriptions of rituals and religious beliefs. This study is related to the concept of the cognitive definition created and presented in “Słownik stereotypów i symboli ludowych” by Jerzy Bartmiński and his co-workers. According to this cognitive definition, both language and culture are related and this definition captures common knowledge connected with the described objects. Thus, the author presents one view of the linguistic and cultural image of the willow, i.e. its versatile functions in Polish folk medical magic and the usage of sacred willow boughs in folk healing rituals. In the Polish folk culture, the willow tree (especially the withered or rotten one) was strongly associated with devil (this bond is recorded in many Polish proverbs such as “Zakochał się jak diabeł w suchej wierzbie”, “Śmieje się jak diabeł w suchej wierzbie”, “W suchej wierzbie diabeł siedzi” etc.) and remote unfamiliar soggy areas (reflected in regional names of the willow such as “mlekić”, “mlekita”, “mołokita”, “mlekita”, “młokicia” derived from “młaka” ‘swamps, marshland’), and it was com¬monly used in folk medicine as a very important element of magic healing rituals, which is seen in the old custom of transferring some diseases to the tree. On the other hand, the willow as a tree linked with the early springtime and life regeneration is related to Easter. Willow boughs are blessed in church as a substitute of palms to commemorate the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. These so called “palms” and their parts are thought to be an excel¬lent apotropaion and remedy for many various diseases, especially caused by magic spells. Some healing properties of willow have been confirmed by official medicine (salicylic acid or aspirin can be elicited from willow bark).

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