White Willow Bark 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

White Willow Bark – 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:

Like aspirin, willow bark is a proven painkiller, but without many of aspirin’s side effects. The analgesic actions of willow are typically slower acting but last longer than standard aspirin products. As with aspirin, uses for willow bark include fever, colds, minor infections, acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, mild headaches, and pain caused by inflammation. Willow bark is also high in tannins, suggesting that it may be of some use in gastrointestinal disorders. The German Commission E has approved its use for disease accompanied by pain, fever, rheumatic ailments, and headaches.

Arthritis. Aspirin has an advantage over its herbal parent in that it is more sure-acting, as willow bark depends on the presence of “friendly” intestinal bacteria to properly digest its components into painkilling compounds. On the other hand, the analgesic compounds from willow bark remain in circulation longer than those from aspirin. The amount of pain-relieving compounds available from willow bark remains at stable levels in the bloodstream for several hours. Unlike aspirin, the salicylates from willow bark have no effect on blood platelets and do not increase bleeding. Clinical testing of willow bark has been conducted in England. Researchers at the Centre for Complementary Health Studies at the University of Exeter gave eighty-two participants with chronic arthritic pain either Reumalex, an herbal drug containing willow bark, or a placebo. After two months of use, the willow bark medication was found to be superior to the placebo pill.

Dry mouth. A clinical study involving ten patients who had had radiation treatment found that Salix SST, a saliva-stimulating lozenge containing the active principles of willow bark, relieved symptoms of dry mouth and improved sleep and speech.

Lower back pain and osteoporosis. Studies have shown that willow bark has pain-relieving effects on people with chronic lower back and osteoporotic pain within a month. One study found that a combination herbal product containing 120 milligrams of salicin from white willow bark reduced knee pain and improved functioning in people with osteoarthritis.

Recommended Use

Willow bark is available as capsules and salicin tablets, and in various formulations designed specifically for migraines. The typical dose is 60 to 120 milligrams of salicin, which is about 6 to 12 grams of the herb. In Native American medicine, willow bark is used to reduce sexual desire. Chronic use of willow bark may result in diminished sexual interest, although it does not affect physical aspects of sexual performance in either men or women.

If you have had any type of allergic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates, you should not use willow bark. Do not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not take it in combination with aspirin. Long-term use of willow bark is not advisable. Do not give willow bark to a child under sixteen years of age who has symptoms of flu, chickenpox, or any other type of viral infection. As with aspirin, there may be a risk of developing a rare but serious ailment called Reye’s syndrome. Do not use willow bark if you have active gastric or duodenal ulcer, hemophilia, asthma, or diabetes. If you are taking blood-thinners or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) avoid white willow–containing products. Limit your intake of alcohol and barbiturates when using this herb, as they may mask symptoms of salicylate overdose and may enhance the toxicity of the salicin from white willow.

Botanical Name: Salix alba
English: Willow bark, European willow
Ayurvedic: Jalavetasa
Unani: Bed Saadaa
Also, known as: Ak söyüd ag, basket willow, bela vrba, beli, bid-e-maamouli, caporniolo, derakht-e-bid, European willow, hopeapaju, hvid pil, isbidår, vitpil, osier blanc, paju, remmelgas, salcio bianco, salicastro, salcio da forche, salece, salgueiro-de-casa-roxa, saligastro, sargatillo, saule blanc, sauce blanco, Silberweide, sogut, solvpil, sufsaf abiad, tortiello, swallow tailed willow, vitpil, white willow, Saule blanc, Silberweide, Salcio bianco, Liu, Svet veda muska, Neerganjimara Pandra veda muska Bis, Malchang, Bhushan, Madnu Bed Sada
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Bark

General Information:
The bark is 1 to 2 cm wide and 1 to 2 mm thick and occurs in flexible, elongated, quilled or curved pieces. The outer surface is smooth or slightly wrinkled longitudinally and greenish-yellow in the younger bark to brownish grey in the older bark. The inner surface is smooth or finely striated longitudinally and white, pale yellow or reddish-brown, depending on the species. The fracture is short in the outer part and coarsely fibrous in the inner region and is easily split longitudinally. The diameter of current year twigs is not more than 10 mm. The wood is white or pale yellow.

How to use:
Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.