Individuals with back pain, headaches and arthritis have been using white willow bark to find relief since 400 B.C., according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A cousin to aspirin, white willow bark is still used today in herbal medicine for the same ailments. While its safety and effectiveness have been proven, it isn't the herb for everyone. Discuss using white willow bark with your doctor before treating any medical condition.
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient in white willow bark is salicin, which was originally used to formulate acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. The two compounds are similar enough that they share the same traits. Like aspirin, white willow bark is used to treat pain and inflammation, but at a lower dose. It may also have antiseptic, antioxidant and immune-boosting capabilities, and may help bring down a fever, according to UMMC.
Dosing
White willow bark is available in powder and tincture form or as a dried herb. The powder is used to make capsules or liquid formulations, the most common method of administration. A 2001 study in the journal "Phytotherapy Research" found that a 240 mg per day dose was safe for adults and provided moderate relief from osteoarthritis pain. UMMC suggests using 4 to 6 mL of a one to five 30 percent alcohol tincture three times daily or simmering 2 tsp. of the dried herb in a cup of water for 15 minutes, steeping for 30 minutes and drinking up to four cups per day. Children should not use white willow bark because like aspirin, it carries the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Drug Interactions
If your doctor has advised you to avoid aspirin while taking any of your usual medications, you should avoid white willow bark as well. It may increase the effects of anticoagulants and the levels of methotrexate and phenytoin in your blood, and may increase the risk of stomach bleeding when taken with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. White willow bark may make diuretics and beta-blockers less effective. Talk to your doctor before beginning any type of herbal therapy.
Caution
UMMC notes that the side effects of white willow bark are generally mild, but they do exist. Like aspirin, stomach upset and bleeding are a risk, and an overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, rash and ringing in the ears. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and people who are allergic to aspirin should not take white willow bark. If you have asthma, stomach ulcers, diabetes, hemophilia, gout and gastritis, consult your doctor before use.
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