In traditional medicine, White Willow (Salix alba) bark has been used for pain relief and to reduce inflammation, with ancient civilizations (including Hippocrates) recommending its use for pain, such as headaches, birth pain, rheumatic pain, back pain, toothache, menstrual cramps, sore throat, fever, and various inflammatory conditions. The main active constituent, salicin, is metabolized to salicylic acid in the body, which laid the groundwork for aspirin’s development.
This deciduous Willow tree is medium-sized and native to Eurasia, and now naturalized to other continents through human introduction. Its species name “alba”, refers to the white on the underside of the leaves, and the overall pale color of leaf due to a covering of the soft white hairs.
As a typical Willow species, the White Willow is found in riparian areas and it is also available in a number of cultivars for use in the garden.
Though this species is most well-known for being the original source of aspirin, it is also useful for its wood, which is lightweight yet strong and resistant to decay, and its stems, which can be bent and used for basket-making or weaving into other structures like furniture.
Although White Willow Bark is famous as being a source of salicylates, from which salicylic acid and Aspirin was produced, its activity in traditional medicine is thought to not be due to just this component.
White Willow Bark extract also contains other phytochemicals, such as antioxidant flavonoids and bioactive tannins, which are thought to play a synergistic role in promoting cytokine balance and pain relief.
For example, an extract of willow bark was found to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mediated prostaglandin release, but not directly affect COX-1 or COX-2 activity.
Additionally, other constituents than salicin have been found to prevent prostaglandin and cytokine release.
Through scientific investigation, Salix alba has been found to have a wide range of activities including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective.
Several clinical studies have found White Willow Bark to have beneficial effects while being tolerated much better than Aspirin.
For example, in a Cochrane systematic review of studies, White Willow Bark (standardized to 120-240 mg salicin) was found to significantly promote comfort in the short-term compared to placebo. For these reasons, and from its long tradition, White Willow bark is still used in herbal medicine for pain relief and reducing fevers.
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
The Origin of Aspirin.
