Native to Europe and western and central Asia, white willow is a species of willow tree that grows up to 10 – 30 meters tall. There is a jacket of fine, silky white hairs found on the underside of the leaves giving it a paler color; hence the name white willow. The medicinal use of white willow bark extract dates back to the 5th century BC when it was first recorded by Greek physicians. They noted that a bitter powder extracted from white willow bark that could ease aches, pains, and reduce fevers. This remedy was also mentioned in texts by ancient Egyptians who used white willow for treating inflammation.
In 1828, scientists in Europe successfully identified and isolated the active ingredient, salicin, in white willow bark. Salicin is a compound from which acetylsalicylic acid (abbreviated as ASA and otherwise known as aspirin) is derived. Found in both salicin and ASA, the pain relieving ability comes from salicylates. White willow bark contains a lower concentration level of salicylates than aspirin. And although aspirin might work faster, white willow bark may be a better choice for those who get stomach pains from aspirin. This is a the reason that herbalists recommend white willow bark extract over aspirin for headache, fever, arthritis and other disorders characterized by pain and inflammation.
White willow bark is available in bulk powder or capsule form. It is also available commercially as tinctures and extracts. Studies have used white willow bark extracts that provide 120 – 240 mg of salicin per day. It should be noted that because white willow contains salicylates, the same precaution as aspirin should be taken, particularly those who are sensitive or allergic to aspirin.
References: (1) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/willow-bark-000281. (2) http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-white-willow.html (3) htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salix_alba (4) ttp://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/willow_bark.htm
