White Willow Bark

White Willow Bark Information

The bark of the white willow tree (Salix alba) has been used in China for centuries as a medicine because of its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. While white willow was introduced from Europe to America, early settlers to America found Native Americans gathering bark from indigenous willow trees for similar purposes.

The active ingredient in white willow is salicin, which the body converts into salicylic acid. The first aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) was made from a different salicin-containing herb, meadowsweet, but harnessed the same substance. All aspirin is now chemically synthesized. It's not surprising, then, that white willow bark is often called "herbal aspirin".

Although white willow is the species of willow tree most commonly used for medicinal purposes, other salicin-rich species are employed as well, including crack willow (Salix fragilis), purple willow (Salix purpurea), and violet willow (Salix daphnoides). These all may be sold under the label of willow bark.

The salicylic acid in white willow bark lowers the body's levels of prostaglandins, hormonelike compounds that can cause aches, pain, and inflammation. While white willow bark takes longer to begin acting than aspirin, its effect may last longer. And, unlike aspirin, it doesn't cause stomach bleeding or other known adverse effects.

How To Take White Willow Bark and White Willow Bark Dosage and Administration

Choose white willow bark supplements that are standardized to contain 40 mg salicin, the active ingredient in white willow bark.

For the majority of ailments: Take one or two white willow bark pills three times a day, as needed, totaling a daily dose of 60 to 120 mg of salicin. Follow package directions.

How Does White Willow Bark Work?

Salicylic acid found in white willow bark is a weak anti-inflammatory agent, but is converted by the liver to acetyl-salicylic acid. The acetylated version has aspirin's more effective anti-inflammatory activity without its gastrointestinal toxicity. The salicylates inhibit the activity of the cyclo-oxgenase enzymes, and thus inhibit the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory molecules. The excretion of salicylic acid in the urine helps soothe an irritated urinary tract. Willow Bark has long been used for fevers and inflammations. In addition, the astringency of the glycosides makes Willow Bark useful as an antiseptic and astringent. Extracts and infusions of the bark have been used for cleansing the scalp and skin, for treating dandruff, and for treating corns and growths. As a flower essence, this herb reduces bitterness and resentment, and helps those who tend to blame others. Only Black Willow is an anaphrodisiac, while all species are a mild antiseptic.

White Willow Bark Side Effects

White Willow Bark Precautions and Contraindications

Avoid white willow bark, which can irritate the stomach, if you are sensitive to aspirin, or if you have an ulcer or other gastrointestinal disorder.

Don't take white willow bark (or aspirin) if you have tinnitus.

Consult your doctor before taking this herb if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

As with aspirin products, never give white willow bark to children or teenagers under age 16 with symptoms of the cold, the flu, or chicken pox. Although white willow bark is unlikely to cause the rare but potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in such cases - it is metabolized differently than aspirin - the similarity to aspirin is close enough to warrant caution.

White Willow Bark Drug Interactions

White willow bark should not be taken with aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen; in combination, the herb and these drugs increase the chance of side effects such as stomach bleeding.