White Willow Bark

What is White Willow Bark?

There are many different kinds of trees and bushes in Europe, Asia, and some parts of North America that belong to the willow family. White willow, also called European willow (Salix alba), black willow, also called pussy willow (Salix nigra), crack willow (Salix fragilis), purple willow, also called weeping willow (Salix purpurea), and weeping willow are some of the more well-known species (Salix babylonica). Not all willow species store enough salicin to be used as a medicine. In one study, the amount of salicin after 1 and 2 years of growth in the fall and spring varied from 0.8% to 12.6%. Most of the time, the willow bark sold in Europe and the United States comes from white, purple, and crack willows.

People have been using willow bark since Hippocrates' time (400 BC), when he told people to chew on the bark to reduce fever and swelling. Willow bark has been used for hundreds of years in China and Europe to treat pain (especially low back pain and osteoarthritis), headaches, and inflammatory conditions like bursitis and tendinitis. It is still used for these things today. Salicin, which is found in the bark of white willow, is a chemical that is similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Salicin is thought to be responsible for the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb, along with its powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds, called flavonoids. In fact, salicin was used to make aspirin back in the 1800s. White willow seems to take longer than aspirin to relieve pain, but its effects may last longer.

How to use White Willow Bark?

An alternative formulation of willow bark is distilled tincture. A daily dose of one to two drops (up to two milliliters) may serve as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic alternative to aspirin.

White Willow Bark benefits:

People use willow bark to ease pain and reduce swelling. Researchers think that this is because of the chemical salicin, which is found in willow bark. But studies show that other parts of willow bark, like plant chemicals called polyphenols and flavonoids, can fight free radicals, lower fever, kill germs, and make the immune system stronger. Some studies show that willow is as good as aspirin at reducing pain and inflammation (but not fever) at a much lower dose. Scientists think that may be because the herb has other chemicals in it. We need to do more research.

◉ May Relieve Pain: Because it has a lot of antioxidants and organic compounds, willow bark works very well as a painkiller. It has been used for thousands of years to treat pain from injuries and illnesses, and it works very well. In Chinese traditional medicine, willow bark was the first herb that was known to have been used. This was more than 2,500 years ago. Even though it was written about in older texts from the time of the Egyptians, this was the first time it was recorded that willow bark was used to relieve pain.

◉ Possibly Anti-inflammatory Properties: Different parts of our bodies can be inflamed in different ways. If you want to get rid of inflammation in your respiratory system, digestive system, or joints, willow bark can help you feel better quickly. If you use this bark to make a decoction or tea, the inflammation and pain from arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gout, and other conditions will go away.

◉ May Reduce Fever: One of the most important ways that willow bark might help fight inflammation is by lowering fevers. Fever is a sign of an infection in the body, but it is important to break or bring down a fever to speed up the healing process and get the organs back to normal. It has been used for a very long time to treat fevers.

◉ May Ease Menstruation: Many women who have unusually heavy periods or severe menstrual symptoms find that a small glass of willow bark does wonders for everything from period pains and cramps to mood swings and extra stress hormones in the body. In this case, its calming effects are especially helpful because they can help a woman's hormones get back in balance.

Where to buy White Willow Bark?

Buy white willow bark from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

White Willow Bark information (at a glance):