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There’s probably a bottle of aspirin somewhere in your medicine cabinet that you reach for when you have a throbbing headache or aching neck. You may not have heard of its natural counterpart: white willow bark!
White willow bark has been used for thousands of years, and it’s known in cultures worldwide for its natural pain-relieving properties. In fact, willow bark is the reason that we have the medication aspirin today! Read on to learn more about the many white willow bark benefits, as well as how you can incorporate this natural pain reliever into your daily routine.
What is White Willow Bark?
White willow (botanical name: Salix alba) is a species of willow tree native to many areas across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Willow bark has been used in a variety of traditional medicine practices for nearly 6,000 years. Famed Greek physician Hippocrates recommended chewing on willow bark to reduce pain, and other cultures have incorporated white willow bark into their traditional medicinal practices for a variety of uses, ranging from the treatment of pain to the reduction of fevers.
Interestingly enough, willow bark is the reason that we have aspirin. In the 18th and 19th centuries, chemists first observed the analgesic effects of willow bark. They then extracted a compound that they believed to be responsible for those pain-relieving properties and called it salicin (Latin for “willow”). Over time, chemists modified salicin to a compound called acetylsalicylic acid — which we now know as aspirin.
Health Benefits of White Willow Bark
White willow bark boasts many of the same pain-relieving, fever-reducing properties of aspirin, but in a more natural form.
1. Pain Relief
One of the most widely recognized uses of white willow bark is as an analgesic, or pain reliever. The compound found in white willow bark, salicin, has been used for a variety of common aches and pains including menstrual cramps, headaches, and joint issues.
The use of white willow bark extract is especially promising in its potential role in helping people who struggle with lower back pain. One study evaluating the effects of both low (120 mg) and high (240 mg) doses of salicin in patients with lower back pain found that the administration of willow bark extract led to mild improvements in 39% of people who took the high dose and 21% of patients taking the lower dose. Even better, the effects were seen fairly quickly in the high-dose group, with many patients seeing improvement in just one week of treatment.
Another study found that willow bark extract also shows promise as part of a long-term treatment for painful musculoskeletal disorders and back pain. In this study, patients with a variety of inflammatory joint and back issues saw significant reductions on the pain scale after three weeks of using a willow bark extract. Finally, the use of salicin has also been shown to be promising in patients dealing with pain from arthritis, a group of conditions that involve weakening and pain in the joint tissues.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
One of the reasons that salicin is thought to help manage pain is because of its reported anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation is a natural response launched by your immune system to protect your body from harm. If you injure yourself or there’s a risk of a foreign pathogen that can make you sick, your immune system sends a host of cells to the site of the injury to fight off the threat. Unfortunately, inflammation can also cause pain and tenderness, especially if your immune system mistakenly attacks your own cells, which can happen.
Using anti-inflammatory compounds can help support your body against pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a common example of pain-relieving drugs, and they work against inflammation.
White willow bark may have comparable results and be a good natural alternative. In a study comparing the use of willow extract to a synthetic NSAID, researchers found that both the group who took the white willow bark and the NSAID saw similar pain-relief results.
Salicin isn’t the only compound found in willow bark that can help support your immune system against inflammation. White willow leaves and white willow bark are also a good source of a variety of antioxidants. Antioxidants are natural compounds (like polyphenols and flavonoids) that help support your body against oxidative stress and protect it against inflammation. These natural antioxidants are not found in synthetic aspirin medication, however, making white willow bark a more appealing alternative.
3. Fever Reduction
White willow bark has traditionally been used as a fever reducer (again, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties). One way that your body uses inflammation to protect itself from harm is by raising your body temperature in order to kill any potentially harmful bacteria and viruses that you may have been infected by. Body temperatures that are too high for too long can make you feel sick and can even be dangerous, so using an anti-inflammatory to reduce your body temperature can help.
Other Potential Benefits
In addition to its pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties, white willow bark may have several other potential uses that may warrant more research.
Cardiovascular Health
Inflammation, oxidation, and heart health are all linked.
Chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels and contribute to the development of serious heart conditions like atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the blood vessels that can contribute to high blood pressure.
Oxidative stress is a condition where free radicals cause damage to your cells and tissues while promoting inflammation.
White willow bark may help protect cardiovascular health due to its antioxidants as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. A study on rabbits found that the antioxidant properties in white willow seemed to have a positive effect on the heart and kidney health of rabbits with high cholesterol.
More research is required to fully understand white willow bark's role in promoting cardiovascular health in humans.
Skin Health
Researchers are also interested in whether or not the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of willow bark can help improve skin health. A small study on 30 female subjects found that salicin applied directly to the skin led to reduced visible signs of skin aging like fine lines, skin tone, firmness, and general radiance.
Weight Management
White willow bark extract is sometimes found in weight loss and sports supplements, which is again likely due to its possible anti-inflammatory properties. Excess fat tissue can promote low-grade chronic inflammation. However, more research needs to be done here since there is currently a lack of evidence to support this use.
How to Use White Willow Bark
If you’re interested in taking white willow bark and reaping its many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rewards, it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine via supplementation.
There are currently no standardized dosage recommendations for white willow bark, though studies have shown that it can be effective for back pain at doses of up to 240 mg of salicin. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking white willow bark or any other supplements to ensure that they are compatible with your current health needs and that they do not interfere with any of your other medications.
White willow bark is generally considered to be safe to take. However, some reported side effects include gastrointestinal issues like stomach cramping, bleeding, and nausea, as well as dizziness and skin rashes. The good news: using white willow bark is thought to be gentler than aspirin on the stomach.
White willow is also unsuitable for everyone, including people allergic to other salicylates like aspirin. Finally, you should not use white willow bark if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of 18 since exposure to salicylates can increase a child’s risk of developing a serious condition called Reye’s Syndrome.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white willow bark stands out as a natural and effective alternative to aspirin, celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. With a history stretching back thousands of years, this remedy offers a gentler option for those seeking relief from pain, inflammation, and fevers, drawing from the wisdom of ancient herbal practices. While it promises numerous health benefits, including potential support for cardiovascular and skin health, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating it into your routine. This ensures it aligns with your health needs and avoids interactions with other medications. Embracing white willow bark reflects a commitment to exploring natural healing avenues, highlighting the enduring value of nature's bounty in enhancing our well-being.
