White Willow Bark
Botanical Description & Habitat
Salix alba
Family
Salicaceae
Common names
Salicin willow
Willow withe
Withy
Habitat
Native of Europe and of the northern and temperate parts of North America.
Description
It is a deciduous tree found along stream banks, shores, and rich, low woods. White willow grows up to 75 feet high and is covered with a rough, gray bark. The leaves are alternate, wide at the base and tapering to a point, covered with short hairs on both sides. Male and female catkins grow on separate trees.
Medicinal parts
Bark
Historical Properties & Uses
White willow bark is the original source of salicin, a weaker forerunner of aspirin. Through the ages, long before the discovery of its constituent salicin, white willow bark was used to combat many painful conditions, including rheumatism, headache, neuralgia, arthritis, gout, and angina.
White willow bark is mentioned in ancient Egyptian, Assyrian, and Greek manuscripts, and was used to treat pain and fever by ancient physicians Galen, Hippocrates, and Dioscorides. Native American Indians used it for headaches, fever, sore muscles, rheumatism, and chills. In the mid-1700's, it was used to treat malaria.
Extracts of the bark were first tested between 1821 and 1829, during which time salicin was isolated and identified, but it wasn't until 1874 it was conclusively shown to reduce the aches and soreness of rheumatism. In 1838, salicylic acid was derived from salicin; this product was demonstrated effective against rheumatic fever.
Independent studies later produced acetylsalicylic acid from salicylic acid. This new product, aspirin, was subsequently proven effective against general pain, as well as the pain of rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia. Other derivatives of salicylic acid have likewise been proven effective.
Salicin, the original component of white willow bark, is converted to salicylic acid within the body. The concentration of salicin in the bark is small, but effective, at least for certain individuals and certain conditions. Used in its raw form, the bark yields other decomposition products of salicin that may enhance the analgesic, antipyretic, disinfectant, and antiseptic properties of white willow bark.
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E for symptomatic fever, headache and rheumatism.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
White Willow Bark Has Analgesic, Antipyretic Properties
The analgesic, antipyretic, antiseptic and disinfectant properties of white willow bark have been known to physicians for thousands of years.
Willow is rich in phenolic constituents, including falvonoids and tannins as well as salicylates.
Research throughout the last century identified and isolated salicin as the primary active ingredient, though other components also possess mild analgesic properties. From salicin, salicylic acid and finally acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) were derived.
The latter substance has a more concentrated action than salicin, but its action is no different. There is currently some debate over how much active analgesic substance is available in a typical sample of dried, processed bark.
The German Commission E notes the analgesic, antipyretic and antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory) actions of white willow bark.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Precautions associated with salicylate therapy are equally applicable to willow. Willow should not be taken along with salicylate drugs.
Drug interactions listed for salicylates and willow include: oral anticoagulants, methotrexate, phenytoin and spironolactone.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The toxicity level of white willow bark has not been determined at this time.
No reported side effects have been documented.
Salicin can cause skin rashes.
Salicin does not irritate the stomach.
White willow bark has approval status by the German Commission E.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried bark
1-3 grams
Tea
made from 1/2-1 tsp dried bark
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 1-3 ml
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
Recommended daily dosages in Germany are as follows:
60 - 120 mg total salicin.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Collier, H.O.J. Aspirin. Scientific American.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F.F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc: West Yorks, England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996:21,45,63,282.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Multimedia
Salix alba
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