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Open Source Apothecary At Home / The herbs
Where aspirin came from — with aspirin's risks, plus more. — Salix alba, S. fragilis
remedyWillow bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic acid — the compound aspirin was developed from. Its medicinal logic is therefore real and well understood.
Why it is nonetheless not a good home medicine. The salicin dose is variable and unpredictable between trees and harvests, the effect is slower than aspirin, and the risks are aspirin's risks: gastric irritation and bleeding, interaction with anticoagulants, and the absolute prohibition in children and teenagers with a fever or viral illness because of Reye's syndrome.
The Reye's syndrome rule is the reason this page exists. Aspirin and aspirin-containing preparations must not be given to anyone under 19 with a fever or viral illness. Willow bark carries the same risk, and a "natural" willow preparation is not exempt.
Growing it is easy — willow roots from cuttings in water almost regardless of what you do, and it has genuine non-medicinal uses: living fences, basketry, and a fast source of biomass. Those are better reasons to grow it.
Where willow genuinely fits: as a topical wash for minor skin irritation, and as a plant to know the history of.
Although H. procumbens, S. alba, S. officinale L., S. chilensis, and lavender essential oil also seem to reduce pain more than placebo, evidence for these substances was of moderate quality at best.PubMed 25536022 ↗
Harpagophytum Procumbens, Salix Alba and Capsicum Frutescens seem to reduce pain more than placebo.PubMed 16625605 ↗
Further studies are required to find out if treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis requires extract with higher doses than 240 mg salicin per day.PubMed 19140170 ↗
Harpagophytum procumbens, Salix alba, and Capsicum frutescens seem to reduce pain more than placebo.PubMed 17202897 ↗
| | | |---|---| | Life | Deciduous tree | | Propagation | Cuttings root in water in weeks — extremely easy | | Light | Full sun | | Soil | Wet ground is fine; very tolerant | | Harvest bark | From pruned branches, spring or autumn — never ring the trunk | | Dry | 45-55 C, cut small |
Coppice on rotation for a sustainable bark supply without killing the tree. Willows are also excellent for living structures and for soaking up wet ground.
Bark decoction — simmered 10-15 minutes. Bitter and harsh on the stomach.
Topical wash — a cooled decoction for minor skin irritation.
Not recommended internally in any regular way, given the variable dose and the aspirin-type risks.
Better options for pain in this handbook have better evidence and fewer risks.