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White willows are the huge draping shade trees found almost everywhere. But it’s not the leaves that provide the medicinal value of white willow, but rather its bark. White willow bark contains salicin, the same chemical found in aspirin. Because of this, it has been used through the centuries as a pain reliever, fever reducer, and to calm inflammation. White Willow Therapeutic Uses White Willow is an herbal aspirin. Try white willow for pain any time you think you need an aspirin. Aspirin is simply a more concentrated source of salicylates, the active chemicals in white willow. So, don’t expect the herb to be as potent. On the other hand, compare with the little white pills, white willow bark causes fewer side effects. It has been used effectively to treat headaches, fever, and muscle and joint pain. Low-dose aspirin has become a standard preventative and first aid for heart attack. Aspirin helps prevent and dissolve the blood clots that trigger heart attack and most strokes. A cup of willow bark tea contains a similar low dose of aspirin-like salicin. While there have been no studies on willow bark as an aspirin substitute for heart attack prevention, the herb should have the same effect based on the chemicals present in the herb. Like aspirin, white willow contains enough salicylate to suppress chemicals called prostaglandins that are involved in menstrual cramps. If you have mild cramps, the herb may help. White Willow Dosage Recommendations For a white willow tea to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation, use 1 teaspoon of powdered bark per cup of cold water and soak for eight hours. Drink up to 3 cups per day. White willow tastes bitter so you can add honey and lemon to the tea. To help prevent heart attack and stroke drink 1 to 2 cups a day. White Willow Safety Aspirin upsets some people’s stomachs. White willow is less potent and rarely causes this problem, but stomach upset is still possible in those who are sensitive to aspirin. People with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcers and gastritis, should not use this herb. Aspirin also triggers asthma attacks in some people. If you are aspirin sensitive do not use white willow bark. Pregnant women should not use white willow. In animal studies, aspirin is associated with an increased risk of birth defects. The herb is not as powerful as aspirin, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. In children under age 16 with fevers related to colds, flu, or chickenpox, aspirin may cause Reye’s Syndrome, a rare but possibly fatal condition. White willow has never been linked to Reye’s Syndrome, but because of its aspirin-like action, do not give it to children with those illnesses. Today, herbalists recommend white willow bark for headache, fever, arthritis, and other pain and inflammation. Increasingly, the herb is used to prevent heart attack. But, heed the warnings, as aspirin is considered a drug today. And, although willow bark is less potent than aspirin, all warnings for aspirin should be considered similarly for white willow.
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