Willow Bark

Other Name(s):

Basket Willow, Bay Willow, Black Willow, Black Willow Extract, Brittle Willow, Corteza de Sauce,CrackWillow, Daphne Willow, Écorce de Saule, Écorce de Saule Blanc, European Willow, European Willow Bark, Extrait d'Écorce de Saule, Extrait d'Écorce de Saule Blanc, Extrait de Saule, Extrait de Saule Blanc, Knackweide, Laurel Willow, Lorbeerweide, Organic Willow, Osier Blanc, Osier Rouge, Purple Osier, Purple Osier Willow, Purple Willow, Purpurweide, Pussy Willow, Reifweide, Salicis Cortex, Salix alba, Salix daphnoides, Salix fragilis, Salix nigra, Salix pentandra, Salix purpurea, Saule, Saule Argenté, Saule Blanc, Saule Commun, Saule des Viviers, Saule Discolore, Saule Fragile, Saule Noir, Saule Pourpre, Silberweide, Violet Willow, Weidenrinde, White Willow, White Willow Bark, Willowbark, White Willow Extract, Willow Bark Extract.

Overview

Willow bark is the bark from several varieties of the willow tree, including white willow or European willow, black willow or pussy willow, crack willow, purple willow, and others. The bark is used to make medicine.

Willow bark acts a lot likeaspirin,因此它是用于疼痛,包括头痛、音乐le or joint pain,menstrual cramps,rheumatoid arthritis(RA),osteoarthritis,gout, and a disease of the spine calledankylosing spondylitis.

Willow bark's pain relieving potential has been recognized throughout history. Willow bark was commonly used during the time ofHippocrates, when people were advised to chew on the bark to relieve pain and fever.

Willow bark is also used for thecommon cold, flu, and weight loss.

Salicin, the active ingredient in willow bark, seems to have contributed to the death of the composer, Ludwig von Beethoven. Apparently, Beethoven ingested large amounts of salicin before he died. His autopsy report is the first recorded case of a particular type of kidney damage that can be caused by salicin.

How does it work?

Willow bark contains a chemical called salicin that is similar to aspirin.

SLIDESHOW

Back Pain: 16 Back Pain Truths and MythsSee Slideshow

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for...

  • Treating lower back pain. Willow bark seems to reduce lowerback pain. Higher doses seem to be more effective than lower doses. It can take up to a week for significant improvement in symptoms.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Joint pain. Research shows that taking a specific product containingglucosaminesulfate, methylsufonlylmethane, white willow bark extract, ginger root concentrate, boswellia extract,turmericroot extract, cayenne, and hyaluronic acid (Instaflex Joint Support, Direct Digital, Charlotte, NC) in three divided doses daily for 8 weeks reduces joint pain. But this product doesn't seem to help joint stiffness or function.
  • Weight loss. Early research suggests that taking willow bark in combination with ephedra and cola nut might cause slight weight loss inoverweightandobesepeople. However, it is not wise to use this combination because of safety concerns about ephedra. Ephedra has been banned in the United States due to severe harmful side effects.
  • Osteoarthritis. Research on willow bark extract for osteoarthritis has produced conflicting results. Some research shows it can reduce osteoarthritis pain. In fact, there is some evidence suggesting that willow bark extract works as well as conventional medications for osteoarthritis. But other research shows no benefit.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Early research suggests that willow bark extract is not effective for rheumatoidarthritis.
  • Joint pain.
  • Treating fever.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of willow bark for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate(detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

Willow bark isPOSSIBLY SAFE对于大多数人来说,口服短time (up to 12 weeks).

It may cause headaches, stomach upset, anddigestive systemupset. It can also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in people allergic to aspirin.

QUESTION

Nearly everyone has low back pain at some time during their life.See Answer

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the safety of using willow bark during pregnancy. It's best to avoid using it.

用柳树皮虽然母乳喂养POSSIBLY UNSAFE. 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 isPOSSIBLY UNSAFEn children 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's 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, which might lead to kidney failure in certain people. If you have kidney disease, don't use willow bark.

Sensitivity to aspirin: People withASTHMA, STOMACH ULCERS,DIABETES, GOUT,HEMOPHILIA, HYPOPROTHROMBINEMIA, or KIDNEY orLIVER DISEASEmight 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. There is a concern it could cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using willow bark at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions


Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating:MajorDo not take this combination.

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

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren,Cataflam, others),ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox,Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (陈香美), enoxaparin (Lovenox),heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.


AcetazolamideInteraction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

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.


AspirinInteraction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

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)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

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


Salsalate (Disalcid)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

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

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For back pain: Willow bark extract providing 120-240 mg salicin has been used. The higher 240 mg dose might be more effective.

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