Plant Comparison
Hemp vs Willow Bark
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Hemp and Willow Bark: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, headache, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Hemp | Willow Bark | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Willow Bark |
| Back pain | 5/10 | 9/10 | Stronger for Willow Bark |
| Headache | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Hemp |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Willow Bark |
| Pain (general) | 5/10 | 9/10 | Stronger for Willow Bark |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Willow Bark |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The characteristic bioactive compounds of the resin-bearing flowers, varying widely in ratio and concentration between cultivars; THC is psychoactive, CBD is not.
Aromatic terpenes contribute to the plant's characteristic scent and may modulate cannabinoid effects.
Hemp seed is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (including omega-3 and omega-6), giving the pressed seed oil its nutritional value; essentially free of psychoactive cannabinoids.
Metabolised in the body to salicylic acid - the 'natural aspirin' that gives the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.
Pharmacological Actions
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory for low back pain (moderate evidence; dose-dependent, around 240 mg salicin/day) - in an RCT, 240 mg salicin/day left 39% pain-free vs 6% on placebo within 4 weeks
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory for low back pain (moderate evidence; dose-dependent, around 240 mg salicin/day) - in an RCT, 240 mg salicin/day left 39% pain-free vs 6% on placebo within 4 weeks
Antipyretic (reduces fever)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Relief of joint pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatic complaints
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory for low back pain (moderate evidence; dose-dependent, around 240 mg salicin/day) - in an RCT, 240 mg salicin/day left 39% pain-free vs 6% on placebo within 4 weeks
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory for low back pain (moderate evidence; dose-dependent, around 240 mg salicin/day) - in an RCT, 240 mg salicin/day left 39% pain-free vs 6% on placebo within 4 weeks; Relief of joint pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatic complaints
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Industrial hemp (low-THC cannabis) seed oil and seeds are generally safe as food. CBD products derived from hemp may interact with medications metabolised by cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, including common anticoagulants, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants. THC-containing preparations impair driving and are regulated or prohibited in many jurisdictions. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Quality and cannabinoid content vary widely between hemp products.
Duke (2002) rates cannabis as ++ and notes clinical evidence (score 2) for its antiemetic activity, especially relevant for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Score 1 activities include analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Duke highlights the legal and pharmacological complexity, noting THC as the primary psychoactive compound. Medically, synthetic cannabinoids (dronabinol, nabilone) are clinically approved for nausea and anorexia. Duke cautions that while the plant has genuine therapeutic potential, psychoactive effects, legal restrictions, and risk of dependence with regular use must be considered (Duke, 2002).
Because it works like aspirin, avoid willow bark if you are allergic to aspirin or salicylates, and do NOT give it to children or teenagers with a viral illness (risk of Reye's syndrome). Use caution in asthma (salicylate sensitivity).
Avoid with anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines (bleeding risk) and in active peptic ulcer; avoid in pregnancy (especially the third trimester) and breastfeeding.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Erect annual herb with a distinctive palmately compound leaf of narrow, serrated leaflets. The plant is usually dioecious (separate male and female plants); female plants develop dense, resinous flower clusters, while male plants bear looser pollen-releasing flowers. The seed (achene) is small, hard-shelled and oil-rich.[14]
Large deciduous tree (Salicaceae), 10-25 m tall (occasionally taller), fast-growing with a broad crown. Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, silvery-white and silky-hairy beneath, giving the tree a shimmering appearance in the wind. Tiny flowers are borne in catkins appearing with the leaves in spring; the species is dioecious. The fruit is a small capsule releasing cottony-tufted seeds.[12]
Habitat
Believed native to Central Asia; now cultivated worldwide, with industrial hemp (low-THC cultivars) grown in temperate climates for fibre, seed and cannabinoid extraction, subject to varying legal regulation by jurisdiction.[14]
Native to Europe, western and central Asia and North Africa, growing on damp ground along riverbanks, floodplains and wet meadows; widely planted and naturalised elsewhere.[12]
Harvesting
Flowers (and resin-bearing leaves) are harvested at peak resin/cannabinoid content, typically as the flower clusters mature in late summer to autumn; seed is harvested once mature and dried, then pressed for oil or used whole.[14]
Bark is stripped from young branches (2-3-year-old growth is preferred, as salicin content is highest in younger bark) in spring, when the rising sap makes the bark peel most easily, then dried.[12]
Traditional Uses
Cannabis/hemp has a long multi-cultural history as a fibre, food and medicinal plant, traditionally used for pain, muscle spasm, sleep and appetite, alongside industrial use of the fibre and seed. Modern cannabinoid research, particularly on THC and CBD, has substantially expanded the evidence base for pain, spasticity and specific seizure disorders.[14, 15]
Willow bark has one of the longest documented histories of any medicinal plant, used since antiquity (recorded by Hippocrates) as a remedy for pain and fever. Its salicin content, chemically related to aspirin, gives it official European herbal-monograph recognition for mild joint pain, headache and feverish colds, with modern clinical trials supporting benefit for low back pain.[11, 12]
Preparations
Whole or hulled seed, or cold-pressed seed oil, used as a nutritional food source (essentially free of psychoactive cannabinoids).
Extract standardised to specific cannabinoid content (e.g. CBD), used in regulated medicinal products; regulatory status varies widely by jurisdiction and product type.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dosage
Not documented
Clinical trials for back pain have used around 240 mg salicin/day of standardised extract. Educational reference only, not a prescription; avoid if allergic to aspirin/salicylates, in children/teenagers with a viral illness (Reye's syndrome risk), or alongside anticoagulants.
References & Sources
- Rock, E.M. and Parker, L.A (2021) 'Constituents of Cannabis sativa', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1264, pp. 1-13. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1 - Castillo-Arellano, J., Canseco-Alba, A., Cutler, S.J. and León, F (2023) 'The Polypharmacological Effects of Cannabidiol', Molecules, 28(7), pp. 3271. doi:10.3390/molecules28073271 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073271 - Pagano, C., Navarra, G., Coppola, L., Avilia, G. et al (2022) 'Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Use in Clinical Practice', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(6), pp. 3344. doi:10.3390/ijms23063344 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063344 - ElSohly, M.A., Radwan, M.M., Gul, W., Chandra, S. and Galal, A (2017) 'Phytochemistry of Cannabis sativa L', Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products, 103, pp. 1-36. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1 - Viana, M.D.B., de Aquino, P.E.A., Estadella, D., Ribeiro, D.A. and Viana, G.S.D.B (2022) 'Cannabis sativa and cannabidiol: a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?', Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 5(1), pp. 207-219. doi:10.1159/000527335 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1159/000527335 - Alves, P., Amaral, C., Teixeira, N. and Correia-da-Silva, G (2020) 'Cannabis sativa: much more beyond delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol', Pharmacological Research, 157, pp. 104822. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822 - Odieka, A.E., Obuzor, G.U., Oyedeji, O.O., Gondwe, M., Hosu, Y.S. and Oyedeji, A.O (2022) 'The medicinal natural products of Cannabis sativa Linn.: a review', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1689. doi:10.3390/molecules27051689 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051689 - Nuutinen, T (2018) 'Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076 - Liktor-Busa, E., Keresztes, A., LaVigne, J., Streicher, J.M. and Largent-Milnes, T.M (2021) 'Analgesic potential of terpenes derived from Cannabis sativa', Pharmacological Reviews, 73(4), pp. 98-126. doi:10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 - Martinelli, G., Magnavacca, A., Fumagalli, M., Dell'Agli, M., Piazza, S. and Sangiovanni, E (2021) 'Cannabis sativa and skin health: dissecting the role of phytocannabinoids', Planta Medica, 88(7), pp. 492-506. doi:10.1055/a-1420-5780 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1420-5780 - Andre, C.M., Hausman, J.F. and Guerriero, G (2016) 'Cannabis sativa: the plant of the thousand and one molecules', Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, pp. 19. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 - Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S., Kumar, A., Maccarinelli, G., Memo, M. and Mastinu, A (2018) 'Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 227, pp. 300-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004 - Bergamaschi, M.M., Queiroz, R.H.C., Zuardi, A.W. and Crippa, J.A.S (2011) 'Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent', Current Drug Safety, 6(4), pp. 237-249. doi:10.2174/157488611798280924 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924 - Cerino, P., Buonerba, C., Cannazza, G. et al (2021) 'A review of hemp as food and nutritional supplement', 6(1), pp. 19--27. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0001 - Devinsky, O., Cross, J.H., Laux, L. et al (2017) 'Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet syndrome', 376(21), pp. 2011--2020. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Trial%20of%20cannabidiol%20for%20drug-resistant%20seizures%20in%20the%20Dravet%20syndrome - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Talwar, A., Estes, E., Aparasu, R. and Reddy, D.S (2022) 'Clinical efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for pediatric refractory epilepsy indications: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Experimental Neurology, 359, pp. 114238. doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114238 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114238 - Caus, M.N., Lupoae, M. and Chitescu, C.L (2026) 'Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks', Pharmaceuticals, 19(3), pp. 399. doi:10.3390/ph19030399 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030399
- Shara, M. and Stohs, S.J (2015) 'Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts', Phytotherapy Research, 29(8), pp. 1112-1116. doi:10.1002/ptr.5377 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5377 - Maistro, E.L., Terrazzas, P.M., Perazzo, F.F., Gaivao, I.O.M. and others (2020) 'Salix alba (white willow) medicinal plant presents genotoxic effects in human cultured leukocytes', Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 82(23-24), pp. 1223-1234. doi:10.1080/15287394.2019.1711476 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2019.1711476 - Matyjaszczyk, E. and Schumann, R. (EU-FORA) (2018) 'Risk assessment of white willow (Salix alba) in food', EFSA Journal, 16(Suppl 1), pp. e16081. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.e16081 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.e16081 - Phillips, H.N., Sharpe, K.T., Endres, M.I. and Heins, B.J (2021) 'Effects of oral white willow bark (Salix alba) and intravenous flunixin meglumine on prostaglandin E2 in healthy dairy calves', JDS Communications, 3(1), pp. 49-54. doi:10.3168/jdsc.2021-0138 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2021-0138 - Kong, C.S., Kim, K.H., Choi, J.S., Kim, J.E. and others (2014) 'Salicin, an extract from white willow bark, inhibits angiogenesis by blocking the ROS-ERK pathways', Phytotherapy Research, 28(8), pp. 1246-1251. doi:10.1002/ptr.5126 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5126 - Noleto-Dias, C., Ward, J.L., Bellisai, A., Lomax, C. and Beale, M.H (2018) 'Salicin-7-sulfate: A new salicinoid from willow and implications for herbal medicine', Fitoterapia, 127, pp. 166-172. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.009 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.009 - Wolfle, U., Haarhaus, B., Kersten, A., Fiebich, B. and others (2015) 'Salicin from Willow Bark can Modulate Neurite Outgrowth in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells', Phytotherapy Research, 29(10), pp. 1494-1500. doi:10.1002/ptr.5400 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5400 - Gagnier, J.J., van Tulder, M., Berman, B. and Bombardier, C (2006) 'Herbal medicine for low back pain (Cochrane review)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2), pp. CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub3 - Oltean, H., Robbins, C., van Tulder, M.W., Berman, B.M. and others (2014) 'Herbal medicine for low-back pain (Cochrane review update)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(12), pp. CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4 - Amel Zabihi, N., Mahmoudabady, M., Soukhtanloo, M., Hayatdavoudi, P. and others (2018) 'Salix alba attenuated oxidative stress in the heart and kidney of hypercholesterolemic rabbits', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 8(1), pp. 63-72. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Salix%20alba%20attenuated%20oxidative%20stress%20in%20the%20heart%20and%20kidney%20of%20hypercholesterolemic%20rabbits - Vlachojannis, J.E., Cameron, M. and Chrubasik, S (2009) 'A systematic review on the effectiveness of willow bark for musculoskeletal pain', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.2747 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2747 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Salix [various species], cortex (Salicis cortex)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/salicis-cortex Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/salicis-cortex - Chrubasik, S., Eisenberg, E., Balan, E., Weinberger, T., Luzzati, R. and Conradt, C (2000) 'Treatment of low back pain exacerbations with willow bark extract: a randomized double-blind study', The American Journal of Medicine, 109(1), pp. 9--14. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(00)00442-3 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9343(00)00442-3
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.