About 220 million aspirin are taken every day in the world, making this drug the most consumed of all. It is manufactured in the laboratory with acetylsalicylic acid, which was originally isolated from compounds present in some plants, such as meadowsweet or white willow.
Today willow bark remedies are still a valid alternative to aspirin as a natural pain reliever. Already in the time of Dioscorides, it was considered useful against attacks of fever and rheumatic pain.
The white willow (Salix alba) is a deciduous tree up to 15 meters high, with a wide crown, grayish-brown bark with longitudinal grooves and thin and elastic young branches. The leaves are lanceolate, silky, grayish green on the front and white on the back. Male and female flowers appear on different trees, and are hanging catkins.
It grows on the banks of rivers and streams, forming beautiful and necessary belts of riverside vegetation, which are home to a varied fauna. The flexible wood has been used in cabinetmaking and in Great Britain it is used to make cricket bats. The young branches are used to make baskets and garden furniture.
Medicinal properties of white willow
The bark, catkins and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Salicylic compounds give it analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and antispasmodic effectsso it is used for the following medicinal purposes:
- To relieve pain: Remedies with willow are mainly intended to relieve pain, whether in rheumatic disorders, back pain, headaches, neuralgia, bursitis, tendonitis or spasmodic pains of menstruation and those linked to the climacteric.
- To reduce fever: Like aspirin, willow is effective in reducing fever in febrile attacks, flu processes and gastric and urinary infections.
- Against heartburn: Willow – normally associated with licorice, marshmallow and green anise – is also astringent and antacid, useful in case of heartburn, gastrointestinal spasms and diarrhea.
- Against migraine and inflammation: It is used along with other plants to relieve migraine and headache pain. inflammation in the joints (see Herbal formulas).
Natural remedies with white willow
- Herbal tea to relieve migraine and joint pain: It is prepared by combining white willow bark with devil’s claw and cat’s claw, and star anise is added to mitigate the bitter and harsh flavor of the willow. How to prepare it: You need a tablespoon of the mixture for a quarter of a liter of water, boil it for 5 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and strain it. It can be taken throughout the day, in small sips.
- Herbal tea to reduce fever: It is advisable to combine white willow with gentian, elderberry and thyme, in equal parts. How to prepare it: Boil a level tablespoon of the mixture per glass of water for 2 minutes, let it rest for another 10 minutes and strain. 3-4 glasses are taken daily while the fever persists and thyme honey can be added to improve the flavor.
How to take
In dry plant for decoction and infusion, in tincture, liquid or nebulized extract, powders and capsules.
Precautions and contraindications
- In moderate doses and short periods, willow does not cause irritation or damage to the digestive mucosa, as happens with aspirin in many people; However, it should be avoided in case of hypersensitivity to salicylates or gastroduodenal ulcer.
- It is also not recommended if you have blood clotting problems or active bleeding.
- It should not be supplied in the pregnancythe lactation nor to under 6 years old.
Jordi Cebrián. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”