White Willow Bark

White Willow Bark is cut and sifted, carefully dried bark of Salix alba. It is a pale, fibrous bark with a bitter, astringent taste, sold crude for simmered tea, tinctures and blends. Offered in 4oz, 1LB and 10lb sizes.

At a glance

• Cut and sifted Salix alba bark, sold crude for tea, tinctures and blends
• Carries salicin and related salicylates, along with tannins and flavonoids
• Simmered, not steeped: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz, 5 to 10 minutes
• Slow to act, so allow an hour or two before judging
• Offered in 4oz, 1LB and 10lb sizes

The herb. White willow is a tall riverside tree in the Salicaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. Its bark appears in the writings of Hippocrates, and in 1828 salicin was first isolated from willow, the discovery that later led to acetylsalicylic acid. The bark carries salicin and related salicylates, with tannins and flavonoids.

What's in it. Cut bark only. Salicin is the compound the bark is known for; the body converts it slowly, which is why willow is gentler and slower than its synthetic descendant. The tannins give the puckering finish and the flavonoids the mild bitterness.

How to use. Bark gives up its compounds in a simmer, not a steep: use 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water, simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and sip. Willow is slow, so allow an hour or two before judging. Once you know your response, most people stay within 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz once or twice a day, taken with food. Do not use it for weeks without a break.

What to expect. A bitter, tannic, earthy cup; a workhorse bark for a home herbal kit, not a mood herb. It sits well next to our Jamaican Dogwood Bark.

Safety. Because of its salicylates, willow bark can upset the stomach, cause heartburn or, at high amounts, ringing in the ears. Anyone who reacts to aspirin can react to willow the same way.

• Do not combine with aspirin, blood-thinning medications or other pain medications, and stop use two weeks before surgery
• Not for children or teenagers, especially during a viral illness
• Not for anyone with a salicylate allergy, stomach ulcers or kidney concerns
• Not for use in pregnancy or while nursing; consult a professional before use if you take any medication

Ingredients and storage. White Willow Bark (Salix alba). Store sealed, cool and dry, away from light; cut bark keeps for two years or more.

Common questions

• How do you brew white willow bark tea? Simmer 1 teaspoon of cut bark per 8 oz of water for 5 to 10 minutes and strain.
• Is white willow bark the same as aspirin? No, it is the traditional bark that carries salicin, the natural compound aspirin was later modeled on.

Disclaimer. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. White willow is a traditional botanical, and traditional use does not establish that it will produce any particular result. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Use at your own risk and keep out of reach of children. Formulated by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.