WHITE WILLOW (Salix alba) aka - Willow, Red Willow

The Willow tree has often been cited as one of nature’s greatest gifts to man because its bark contains the glucoside salicin, an effective painkiller. The bark of Willow contains salicin which is related to acetylsalicylic acid from which Aspirin was first derived. The salicin is excreted in the urine as salicylic acid and related compounds. This ability renders this herb useful for kidney, urethra and bladder irritability and acts as an analgesic to those tissues. Willow has an ageless reputation for reducing inflammation, and working as an astringent. White Willow Bark was the first aspirin like substance. When synthetic aspirin is taken internally, it can cause the stomach to hemorrhage; when White Willow is taken, you may have the same benefits of aspirin, but without the hemorrhaging. It is the forerunner of aspirin, except that it does not cause the loss of blood through the stomach walls each time it is taken. It is estimated that a person loses one to two teaspoons of blood each time aspirin is taken. Willow is used to reduce fevers, works on inflammation, is an excellent herbal source of magnesium, helps to calm the nerves, and can be used for first-aid (wounds and abrasions). Willow is mostly used for minor aches and pains of the body. Willow is also a valuable nerve sedative.