79 Wolf Willow

Names

Common name – Wolf Willow

Scientific name – Elaeagnus commutata

Other names – Silverberry

General Information

Wolf Willow (Elaeagnus commutata), also known as Silverberry, is a hardy deciduous shrub native to western and boreal North America. This resilient plant, characterized by its distinctive silvery foliage and fragrant yellow flowers, has been a valuable resource for Indigenous peoples across the prairie provinces and northern regions for centuries. Indigenous peoples have traditionally utilized different parts of this plant for medicinal, ceremonial, and practical purposes. Wolf Willow’s medicinal properties stem from its rich content of bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other secondary metabolites that contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties. The plant’s ability to thrive in harsh prairie conditions and its multiple traditional applications have made it an important component of Indigenous pharmacopoeias across its natural range.

Traditional Indigenous Uses

From the bark, teas were brewed to ease chest colds, coughs, and other breathing troubles, helping to clear the lungs and restore the voice. The same bark, when softened and mixed with animal grease, was rubbed onto frostbitten skin to draw out the cold and bring back warmth.

The inner bark of Wolf Willow provided the strong fibers used to make ropes and baskets, The seeds were turned into beads for regalia and spiritual objects, worn during dances and ceremonies.

Medicinally, the bark and leaves of Wolf Willow were also prepared into salves and poultices to treat wounds, cuts, and abrasions. These same preparations were used to reduce swelling and ease joint pain, while mild teas from the inner bark soothed the stomach and supported digestion.

Biochemical Basis for Medicinal Properties

Primary Bioactive Compounds (Based on Elaeagnus Genus Research)

1. Flavonoids

Quercetin Derivatives

• Chemical Formula: C₁₅H₁₀O₇ (base structure)
• Properties: Strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
• Mechanism: Free radical scavenging, enzyme inhibition

Kaempferol Glycosides

• Chemical Formula: C₁₅H₁₀O₆ (aglycone)
• Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing
• Distribution: Found in leaves and flowers

Rutin (Quercetin-3-rutinoside)

• Chemical Formula: C₂₇H₃₀O₁₆
• Properties: Vascular protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

2. Phenolic Acids

Chlorogenic Acid

• Chemical Formula: C₁₆H₁₈O₉
• Properties: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
• Source: Leaves and bark

Gallic Acid

• Chemical Formula: C₇H₆O₅
• Properties: Antimicrobial, astringent, antioxidant

Ferulic Acid

• Chemical Formula: C₁₀H₁₀O₄
• Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, skin protective

3. Tannins

Condensed Tannins (Proanthocyanidins)

• Properties: Astringent, antimicrobial, wound healing
• Mechanism: Protein binding, antimicrobial activity
• Traditional use: Wound treatment, skin conditions

4. Triterpenes and Sterols

β-Sitosterol

• Chemical Formula: C₂₉H₅₀O
• Properties: Anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering
• Mechanism: Membrane stabilization, inflammatory modulation

Ursolic Acid

• Chemical Formula: C₃₀H₄₈O₃
• Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective

5. Essential Oil Components

Volatile Compounds

• Linalool: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory
• α-Pinene: Antimicrobial, respiratory benefits
• Limonene: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Chemical Structures of some Key Compounds

Ursolic Acid

Linalool

Ferulic Acid

Mechanism of Action

Anti-inflammatory Properties

• Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition by flavonoids and phenolic acids
• Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway modulation
• Cytokine production reduction (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6)
• Prostaglandin synthesis inhibition

Antimicrobial Activity

• Cell membrane disruption by phenolic compounds
• Protein denaturation by tannins
• DNA interaction by flavonoids
• Biofilm inhibition by multiple compounds

Wound Healing Mechanisms

• Collagen synthesis stimulation by flavonoids
• Angiogenesis promotion by phenolic compounds
• Antimicrobial protection preventing infection
• Anti-inflammatory effects reducing tissue damage

Antioxidant Activity

• Free radical scavenging by flavonoids and phenolic acids
• Metal chelation by polyphenolic compounds
• Lipid peroxidation inhibition
• Cellular protective effects

Pharmacological Activities

Biochemical Reactions

Antioxidant Mechanisms

Quercetin + ROS → Quercetin radical + H₂O (or neutralized radical)

Anti-inflammatory Pathway

Flavonoids → COX-1/COX-2 inhibition → ↓ Prostaglandin synthesis → ↓ Inflammation

Tannin-Protein Interaction

Tannin + Protein → Tannin-Protein complex (precipitation)

Antimicrobial Action

Phenolic compounds + Microbial cell membrane → Membrane disruption → Cell death

Traditional Preparation Methods

Frostbite Ointment

• Ingredients: Wolf Willow bark + animal grease (bear fat, etc.)
• Method: Bark processed and mixed with rendered fat
• Application: Applied to frostbitten areas for healing and protection

Respiratory Tea

• Ingredients: Inner bark of Wolf Willow
• Method: Gentle simmering in water to extract active compounds
• Dosage: Small amounts, used for chest colds and coughs

Wound Treatment

• Preparation: Fresh or dried bark processed into poultices
• Application: Direct application to cuts and skin injuries
• Benefits: Antimicrobial protection and healing acceleration

Safety and Dosage Considerations

Safety Profile

• Generally safe when used traditionally in appropriate amounts
• Mild gastrointestinal effects possible with excessive internal use
• Skin sensitivity rare but possible with concentrated preparations
• No major toxicity reported in traditional literature

Traditional Dosage Guidelines

• Bark tea: Small amounts of inner bark, gently simmered
• Topical preparations: Applied as needed to affected areas
• Ointments: Mixed with fats in traditional ratios
• Internal use: Conservative amounts as practiced traditionally

Modern Research Validation

Confirmed Activities (Based on Related Elaeagnus Species)

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Inhibition of COX-1, COX-2 and corticosterone release confirmed as possible mechanism for therapeutic potential
• Antioxidant properties: Antioxidant properties that protect cells from oxidative damage
• Complex phytochemistry: Chemical components are complex and diverse, mainly containing phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, sterols, and polysaccharides
• Multiple bioactivities: Numerous biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antiedema, antinociceptive, and muscle relaxant functions

Clinical Relevance

• Arthritis treatment: Significant decrease in serum TNFα, IL-10, IL-1β, MMP-1, MMP-13 levels indicated potential as an anti-arthritic compound
• Pain management: Widely used to relax muscles, kill pains, treat inflammation, ease fever and cure ulcers

Important Disclaimers

Cultural Respect: Traditional Indigenous knowledge represents sophisticated understanding developed over centuries. This knowledge is the intellectual property of Indigenous communities and should be approached with appropriate respect and cultural protocols.

Scientific Limitation: While extensive research exists on related Elaeagnus species, specific phytochemical studies on E. commutata are limited. The medicinal properties described are extrapolated from closely related species and traditional knowledge.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. Traditional preparations should not be attempted without proper guidance from qualified practitioners familiar with both traditional methods and modern safety considerations.

Sustainable Harvesting: Wolf Willow should be harvested sustainably with respect for ecosystem health and Indigenous rights to traditional territories and resources.

Identification: Proper botanical identification is essential before any use. Consult with qualified botanists or traditional knowledge holders for accurate plant identification.

References

1) Elders and Community members of the Cayoose Creek Band of Sekw’el’was

2) Flora of North America Editorial Committee. (2022). Elaeagnus commutata. In Flora of North America North of Mexico (Vol. 10). https://dev.floranorthamerica.org/Elaeagnus_commutata floranorthamerica.org

3) S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2006). American silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) (Plant Guide) (Prepared by G. Nesom). https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_elco.pdf plants.usda.gov

4) Moerman, D. E. (n.d.). Elaeagnus commutata—Native American Ethnobotany Database. University of Michigan–Dearborn / Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/1374/

5) Hellson, J. C. (1974). Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians (Mercury Series, Canadian Ethnology Service, Paper No. 19). National Museums of Canada. https://press.uottawa.ca/en/9781772821819/ethnobotany-of-the-blackfoot-indians/

6) Farzaei, M. H., Bahramsoltani, R., Abbasabadi, Z., & Rahimi, R. (2015). A comprehensive review on phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Elaeagnus angustifolia Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 67(11), 1467–1480. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12442

7) Saboonchian, F., Jamei, R., & Sarghein, S. H. (2014). Phenolic and flavonoid content of Elaeagnus angustifolia leaf and flower. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 4(4), 231–238. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4110780/ PMC