White Willow Bark Herbal Tincture
The bark of the stately white willow tree (Salix alba) has been used in China for centuries as a medicine because of its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. Early settlers to America found Native Americans gathering bark from indigenous willow trees for similar purposes.
The active ingredient in white willow is salicin, which the body converts into salicylic acid. The first aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) was made from a different salicin-containing herb–meadowsweet–but works in essentially the same way. All aspirin is now chemically synthesized. It’s not surprising, then, that white willow bark is often called “herbal aspirin.”
The salicylic acid in white willow bark lowers the body’s levels of prostaglandins, hormonelike compounds that can cause aches, pain, and inflammation. While white willow bark takes longer to begin acting than aspirin, its effect may last longer. And, unlike aspirin, it doesn’t cause stomach bleeding or other known adverse effects.
White willow bark is an effective natural pain reliever, making it very useful for both acute and chronic bouts of back pain. One great advantage is that this herb doesn’t have the digestive side effects of a traditional NSAID (aspirin or ibuprofen), which is usually the front-line pain medication for common back problems. Another benefit of white willow is that it is an anti-inflammatory, which helps return mobility and flexibility to the muscles in your back.
Specifically, white willow bark may help to:
Relieve acute and chronic pain, including headache, back and neck pain, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. The effectiveness of white willow bark for easing these and other types of discomforts results from its power to lower prostaglandin levels.
Control arthritis discomforts. Some arthritis sufferers taking white willow bark have experienced reduced swelling and inflammation, and eventually increased mobility, in the back, knees, hips, and other joints.
Ailments-Dosage Suggestions:
- Arthritis 20-30 drops tincture up to 3 times a day
- Back Pain 20-30 drops tincture up to 3 times a day
- Chronic Pain 30-60 drops tincture up to 3 times a day
- Muscle Aches and Pains 20-30 drops tincture up to 3 times a day
Ingredients: White Willow Bark, Grain Alcohol, Distilled Water
Cautions:
White willow is a lot safer than aspirin, but there are still several cautions. Don’t take white willow if you know you have an aspirin allergy. And (like aspirin), don’t give white willow to kids because of the theoretical possibility of Reye’s Syndrome. Be careful about gastrointestinal upset from long-term use. Consult your doctor before taking this herb if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Possible Side Effects
White willow bark can safely be taken long-term at recommended doses.
Higher than commonly recommended doses of this herb can cause stomach upset, nausea, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). If any of these reactions develop, stop taking the herb.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
