What is White Willow Good For?

White willow trees grow along streams or other bodies of water. They can survive minimum winter temperatures as cold as those in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Map zone 2, and their bark has medicinal uses.

History

• White willow bark usage dates back to Europe and Asia during at least 400 or 500 B.C. People in China used it to help with pain and fever, and Europeans used it to remove warts, reduce pain, stop vomiting and reduce libido.

Modern Benefits

• People use white willow bark to treat pain. White willow has some properties similar to aspirin, which makes it helpful to treat back pain, osteoarthritis, headaches, tendonitis and other painful conditions. It may also reduce inflammation.

Warning

• The University of Southern California Hospital warns that willow bark can cause allergies in people who are also allergic to aspirin. It can cause problems in children and can also make some stomach and intestinal diseases worse. Consult a doctor before taking white willow bark.