Natural pain relief with willow bark

Salix alba- willow bark has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years with its first recorded use noted in the Ebers papyrus, a medical text from 1550 BC. The ancient Egyptians used willow bark to help relieve pain and inflammation, and it was also used in ancient China.

Chewing willow bark was recommended by Hippocrates (400 BC) for the relief of pain and fever, and Dioscorides, Galen and Celsus recommended a decoction of willow bark for rheumatic pain.

In 1763, an English clergyman by the name of Edward Scott conducted what is thought to be the first ever clinical trial of willow bark, using it on 50 patients suffering from feverish conditions.

It is from these early uses that we can see where the current day therapeutic application of willow bark has its origins.

One of willow bark’s most common uses today is to help provide symptomatic relief from pain. Acting as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, it is especially useful in helping to relieve the pain associated with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system including osteoarthritis, rheumatism gout, tendinitis, sprains and lower back pain.

Other uses of willow bark in modern herbal medicine include for the relief of pain associated with headache and toothache and to help relieve the aches and pains and fever that can come with the dreaded cold or flu.

So how does it work?

Willow bark contains active constituents salicin which was first discovered in 1824 and salicylic acid 1838 which are thought to be responsible for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions as well as its ability to reduce fever.
Interestingly salicylic acid was the natural forerunner to pain relieving medications that have similar therapeutic applications to willow bark.

Willow bark at a glance

Name

Salix alba- willow bark

Part used

Dried bark

Actions

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic (fever reducing)

Conditions used for

For relief from pain associated with gout, rheumatism, lower back pain, headache, toothache and osteoarthritis. Conditions accompanied by fever including cold and flu.

How to take it

Willow bark can be taken as a liquid extract, tea or tablet and capsule

Where do I find it

From a naturopath or herbalist, health food store and in pharmacies.

Reference available upon request