The bark of Salix alba, or white willow, has a long-standing traditional role for reducing fever, pain and inflammation. Willow herbal remedies commonly contain not only white willow, but purple willow and crack willow as well, which have similar effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A primary active component is salicin, a chemical similar to acetylsalicylic acid, known as aspirin. White willow extract can cause some side effects, so consult with a qualified health care provider before taking this herbal remedy.
Benefits
Willow bark preparations are effective for relieving headaches, back pain and osteoarthritis. People also use white willow for treating inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis. Some research shows that willow bark relieves pain and inflammation at lower doses than aspirin, according to the UMMC, but it does not work as quickly. Willow also is not as effective as aspirin for reducing fever.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Although some studies indicate that white willow is less likely to cause digestive tract side effects than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the UMMC, research is conflicting. NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen all are associated with stomach upset, ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, and because of its salicin content, white willow may have this effect on some people as well. If you are prone to stomach upset or have a gastric ulcer, you may need to avoid this supplement.
Precautions
You should not take white willow extract if you are allergic or sensitive to salicylates, advises Loyola University Health System. An allergic reaction could result in a rash, hives or breathing difficulty. Children under the age of 16 should not be given willow extract because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious disorder linked to aspirin use in youngsters. Salicylates are not recommended during pregnancy, according to the UMMC.
Interactions
Like NSAIDs, white willow bark extract can affect blood platelet activity and decrease blood clotting, which elevates the risk of abnormal bleeding, as noted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. If you take medications or herbs with blood-thinning effects, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel and ginkgo biloba, you should be cautious about using white willow extract. You also should discontinue using white willow extract before surgery or a dental procedure.
Usage
Talk with your health care provider about the appropriate dosage of willow bark extract for your condition, as advised by Loyola. Lower doses may cause fewer side effects, but higher doses tend to work better. By the end of a study published in the July 2000 issue of the "American Journal of Medicine," 39 percent of participants taking willow bark extract with 240 mg of salicin were pain-free, compared with 21 percent of those taking willow bark extract with 120 mg of salicin. The UMMC cautions that excessive doses of willow bark extract can lead to skin rash, ringing in the ears, stomach inflammation, nausea, vomiting and kidney inflammation.
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