Omnia SanaCommon names in 19 European languages →
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, with 14 cited sources.
Botanical Description
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 & Distribution
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
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]
Key Constituents
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
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional Use & History
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
Dosage
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.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
Harvest Readiness
[13]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- 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 - Plants For A Future 'Salix alba (White Willow)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salix+alba Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salix+alba - 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
Selected studies & references
All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
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