White willow
Salix alba, S. purpurea, S. fragilisSalicin was purified from willow bark in 1828; in 1897 Felix Hoffmann at Bayer produced pure acetylsalicylic acid. Aspirin was born.
What is White willow?
White willow (Salix alba) is a plant of the Salicaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, North America. Part used: bark.
What is White willow used for?
Traditional use: Willow bark is boiled for fever and pain in folk medicine; the thin branches are woven into baskets and cages. Scientific evidence: limited. Salicin in the bark is converted to salicylic acid in the body.
Is White willow safe?
Safety label: caution. Not for people allergic to aspirin or salicylates, people with asthma or stomach ulcers, or pregnant and breastfeeding women. Because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, under-18s should not use it, especially with feverish viral illness. Bleeding risk may rise with blood thinners.
Traditional use
Willow bark is boiled for fever and pain in folk medicine; the thin branches are woven into baskets and cages. The weeping willow planted in cemeteries and by water is a symbol of mourning.
Sumerian tablets and Egyptian papyri mention willow for pain and inflammation, and it appears in texts attributed to Hippocrates. Indigenous peoples of North America also used the bark of their own willows for pain and fever.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Weeping willow is not used medicinally. Willow can be confused with poplar; willow leaves are longer and narrower.
Preparation
Dried bark is soaked in cold water and boiled for 5–10 minutes; today it is mostly used as a standardised extract.
What science says
Salicin in the bark is converted to salicylic acid in the body. A systematic review (2009) found moderate evidence that willow bark extract helps low back pain, and inconsistent results for osteoarthritis. The EMA recognises the bark for short-term low back pain. It acts more slowly than aspirin, and its salicylate dose is far lower.
Safety
Not for people allergic to aspirin or salicylates, people with asthma or stomach ulcers, or pregnant and breastfeeding women. Because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, under-18s should not use it, especially with feverish viral illness. Bleeding risk may rise with blood thinners.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) | Salicylates may increase bleeding risk. |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | Stomach side effects can add up. |
| Methotrexate | Salicylates may slow its elimination. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying White willow.
Read more
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographSalicis cortex: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- ResearchA systematic review on the effectiveness of willow bark for musculoskeletal pain (Phytother Res 2009)
- ResearchThe historical analysis of aspirin discovery, its relation to the willow tree (Cell Prolif 2006)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 3. baskı (yay. haz. F. Baytop Günergun). Ankara: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 2021.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Salix alba
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe