Willow Bark

Willow bark contains a chemical called salicin, which is like aspirin.

Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries for treatment of pain (particularly low back pain and osteoarthritis), headache, and inflammatory conditions, such as bursitis and tendinitis.

Native Americans used to cut off willow bark and chew the inner bark as a pain reliever and to reduce inflammation. It can be used in the same way today.

Willow bark has most often been used by adults in doses providing 120-240 mg of salicin by mouth daily for up to 6 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Some people claim that they experience benefits of white willow bark for reducing headaches, fatigue, and anxiety.

Because it helps to exfoliate, willow bark extract works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles fine lines and wrinkles .

Not only is salicin an exfoliant, but it’s also an anti-inflammatory that can help reduce redness.

Naturally containing tannin, it works as a natural astringent that helps to keep the appearance of pores tight and minimized.

The salicin in willow bark is a gentle exfoliant, allowing those with sensitive skin to exfoliate without worrying about irritation.

willow bark contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant antioxidant properties.

The salicin in willow bark converts to salicylic acid. Some believe that this makes it gentler on your stomach than lab-created aspirin. Too much willow bark, however, can cause stomach cramping and bleeding.

The active component of willow bark provides a broader mechanism of action than aspirin and is devoid of serious adverse events. In contrast to synthetic aspirin, willow bark does not damage the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Drinking 1.5 liters of Willow Water a day will provide you with well over a quarter of your daily calcium requirement.

A willow tree has three layers to recognize:

Exterior Bark: This is the bark that you see on the outside of the tree. It is very thin and smooth on small saplings and new growth shoots and is somewhat thick and furrowed on older trees. You want to only harvest bark from the young shoots or branches that are no more than 2 years old (about the diameter of your thumb or less). Any older and the exterior bark is too thick and cumbersome to deal with.

Inner Bark: White or cream to slightly green in color, the inner bark is the layer of fibers that lay just under the exterior bark. It is very thin, just about 1/8 of an inch or less in thickness. This is where the medicine is.

Heartwood: The bulk of the branch or tree is just beneath the inner bark layer. This is the wood layer and it can be discarded or used for other crafting projects, such as basket weaving.

You can harvest willow bark during any time of year, but it’s ideal to do it in the spring, for two reasons.

The first is that in springtime, the inner bark is flush with sap and fluids, making the bark easy to peel from the branch or small tree.

research indicates that the concentration of salicin in willow bark is highest in spring.

To harvest willow bark, choose young branches and cut off at a node to ensure the branch can regrow. Never cut the main trunk as this could expose the tree to disease.

To make willow tincture, place fresh cut bark and twigs in a glass jar and cover with clear 80 proof or higher alcohol.  For every ounce of dried willow, use 5 ounces of clear 80 proof or higher alcohol.

Cover with a lid and let sit for at least 2 weeks. Shake the jar every few days and make sure the herb is under the liquid. Strain and bottle in a glass jar.

To dry willow bark and stem, place it in baskets, paper bags, or a food dehydrator on a very low setting. Store in a cool dark place. The tea is very bitter, even for brave souls with flexible palates. It is best mixed with other herbs or taken quickly as a tincture or capsules. Up to an ounce of herb can be boiled in about a quart of water and taken throughout the day. You can also powder willow bark and twigs in a coffee grinder and fill empty capsules. Take 4-10 capsules per day.

Willow leaves can also be harvested for medicine in spring through summer and dried in baskets or paper bags. For tea, use 1 heaping tablespoon per cup of hot water and steep 15 minutes. Drink 3-6 cups a day. For a pain-relieving bath, try several large handfuls of dried willow leaf in a pot of boiled water. Steep 15 minutes and strain into a bath.

when you make and ingest your own medicinal willow bark, it’s impossible to know the exact dosage you’re getting. The amount of salicin you get will vary by your method of preparation, how much bark you use, and not only the time of year you harvest the bark, but also the species of tree it comes from and even how much sun or water the tree receives each year.

When taken by mouth: Willow bark is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks.

It might cause diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting in some people.

It can also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in people who are allergic to aspirin.

Special precautions & warnings:

You should use willow bark with caution if you have gastrointestinal and liver problems or diabetes.

Pregnancy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if willow bark is safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: It is possibly unsafe to use willow bark while breast-feeding. Willow bark contains chemicals that can enter breast milk and have harmful effects on the nursing infant. Don't use it if you are breast-feeding.

Children: Willow bark is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth for viral infections such as colds and flu. There is some concern that, like aspirin, it might increase the risk of developing Reye syndrome. Stay on the safe side and don't use willow bark in children.

Bleeding disorders: Willow bark might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Kidney disease: Willow bark might reduce blood flow through the kidneys. This might lead to kidney failure in some people. If you have kidney disease, don't use willow bark.

Sensitivity to aspirin: People with asthma, stomach ulcers, diabetes, gout, hemophilia, hypoprothrombinemia, or kidney or liver disease might be sensitive to aspirin and also willow bark. Using willow bark might cause serious allergic reactions. Avoid use.

Surgery: Willow bark might slow blood clotting. It could cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using willow bark at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Do not take in combination with Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Willow bark might slow blood clotting. Taking willow bark along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Be cautious in combination with Acetazolamide.

Willow bark contains chemicals that might increase the amount of acetazolamide in the blood. Taking willow bark along with acetazolamide might increase the effects and side effects of acetazolamide.

Aspirin- Willow bark contains chemicals similar to aspirin. Taking willow bark along with aspirin might increase the effects and side effects of aspirin.

Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (Trilisate) -Willow bark contains chemicals that are similar to choline magnesium trisalicylate. Taking willow bark along with choline magnesium trisalicylate might increase the effects and side effects of choline magnesium trisalicylate.

Salsalate (Disalcid)- Salsalate is a type of medicine called a salicylate. It's similar to aspirin. Willow bark also contains a salicylate similar to aspirin. Taking salsalate along with willow bark might increase the effects and side effects of salsalate.