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Couple doing yoga after using white willow bark

What is White Willow Bark?

In This Healthy Insight:

  1. White Willow Bark
  2. Traditional Benefits of White Willow Bark
  3. White Willow Bark, Extracts & Supplements
  4. Tips to Reduce Strain on the Body
white willow bark

White Willow Bark

The deciduous, low-growing white willow tree is a member of the Salicaceae family and native to just about everywhere – North America, Europe, Africa and Asia – actually everywhere except Australia and Antarctica. It bears long, slender green leaves, but it’s the grayish bark of the young trees that’s been prized for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used it as an herbal remedy as did Europeans and Native Americans.

In the early 1800s a European chemist discovered and isolated the active compound in willow bark and named it salicin which became enormously popular for back and joint comfort. Seventy years later, Bayer modified salicin into acetylsalicylic acid, known now as aspirin. This is why today herbalists often refer to white willow bark as “nature’s aspirin” and swear by its ability to comfort joints and the back. 

There are actually many types of willow trees in the Salicaceae family including these species.

  • White willow or European willow
  • Black willow or pussy willow
  • Bebb willow
  • Corkscrew willow
  • Crack willow
  • Narrowleaf willow
  • Purple willow
a couple doing yoga

It is mainly the white and black willow that are used for herbal remedies.

Traditional Benefits of White Willow Bark

Herbalists treasure white willow bark to promote comfort for:

White Willow Bark, Extracts & Supplements

white willow bark liquid extract

Capsules. You can find white willow bark capsules at health food retailers. It’s often blended with other traditional back or joint herbs and nutrients.  

Liquid extract. White willow bark is also available in an extract form. Just take a drop or two per suggested use.

Tea. Online specialty stores also carry white willow bark tea. Found loose or in bags and enjoyed hot or cold, white willow bark tea is great for sipping. Keep in mind, with a tea it may be difficult to gauge how much salicin you’re actually getting, but regardless, drinking a soothing tea may bring you some natural comfort.  

Topical. You can also find white willow bark in a topical cream or balm to soothe aching joints and muscles. Please be aware that topical use can cause skin irritation, so test a small area first and wait 24 hours before proceeding.

Bark. Some individuals prefer to chew the actual bark, but like tea it’s difficult to know just how much salicin you’re ingesting.

Tips to Reduce Strain on the Body

  1. Watch your posture when seated. Feet flat on the floor, knees at right angles to your hips, shoulders aligned with hips.
  2. Position your computer monitor at eye level with your keyboard at a comfortable height.
  3. Invest in a good ergonomic chair to support your back.
  4. Use your legs to lift, not your back.
  5. Check out standing desks. Sitting is the new smoking, so stand up at your work station as much as possible.
  6. Stretch and move around regularly. Set a timer every 30 minutes as a reminder to move your body.
  7. Reduce stress. Many of us carry stress in our neck and shoulders. Reduce stress through meditation, yoga or listening to relaxing music.

While more research is needed, when an herb has been actively used for centuries with many proponents, there’s got to be something to it. If you’re considering adding willow bark to your health regime, be sure to consult with your doctor or healthcare practitioner first. It should not be used by individuals who are allergic to aspirin or other salicylate-containing ingestible.  

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.

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