Willow

Deciduous shrubs from the willow family (Salicaceae) of which there are about 450 species. Trees grow up to 30 m high. The leaves of the willows are round or narrow to lanceolate. Tree willows rarely reach an age of > 80 years.

Phytotherapeutically, the dried willow bark (Salicis cortex) of young twigs is used in the 2nd or 3rd year. The bark of willow contains salicyl alcohol derivatives(salicylates), caffeic acid derivatives and flavonoids.

HMPC monograph: As a quantified herbal preparation in solid dosage form: Well-established use: low back pain, dosage: see ready-to-use instructions, 393 mg-786 mg twice / ta, not suitable for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Traditional-use: mild joint pain. Fever in cold, headache.
ESCOP monograph: mild backache, mild rheumatic complaints; feverish colds , headache.
Commission E mon ograph: febrile illnesses, rheumatic complaints, headache.

Contraindication: hypersensitivity to the active substance, to salicylates or to other NSAIDs (e.g. angioedema, bronchial spasm or chronic urticaria in response to salicylates or other NSAIDs in history). Asthma associated with sensitivity to salicylates. Active peptic ulcers.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, children and adolescents under 18 years of age(Reye syndrome), severe hepatic or renal impairment. Coagulation disorders.

Not recommended in the first two trimesters of pregnancy due to lack of data, contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy.

The bark of the willows can be dried and brewed as tea. The extracts are now known as "vegetable aspirin". They contain tanning agents, phenol glycosides, salicin and acylated salicin derivatives. Salicin in particular is metabolised in the body to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has antipyretic, pain-relieving and anti-rheumatic effects (see intolerance reaction) and in appropriate concentrations, when applied locally in adapted bases, it has antiseptic and keratolytic effects (see various formulations under salicylic acid).

1. Gagnier JJ et al.(2014) Herbal medicine for low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev Review. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12:CD004504
2. Oltean H et al. (2014) Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12:CD004504
3. Shrivastava R, Pechadre JC, John GW. Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL) combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study. Clin Drug Investig. 2006;26(5):287-96. PubMed PMID: 17163262.
4. https://medicinal-plant-encyclopedia.info/willow.php.
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-salix-various-species-including-s-purpurea-l-s-daphnoides-vill_en.pdf