Willow bark is considered a “natural aspirin.” In fact Willow Bark is the original source of aspirin. Aspirin was originally derived from the bark of the willow tree. Researchers believe that salicin, the active chemical found in willow bark, is responsible for the bark’s amazing effects and studies have also identified several other components of willow bark which have antioxidant, fever-reducing, antiseptic, and immune-boosting properties. Some studies have shown willow is as effective as aspirin for reducing pain and inflammation (but not fever) at a much lower dose than aspirin.

Aspirin And Willow Bark

Although aspirin was originally derived from the bark of the willow tree when Willow Bark is used as the entire herb it has been found to be much safer than aspirin but still quite effective. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a synthetic replacement for salicin, (considered the active ingredient in willow bark) has potentially dangerous gastrointestinal side effects. In its natural form, salicin passes harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract, converted to salicylic acid in the blood and the liver. Aspirin does not require digestion by intestinal bacteria, and works more quickly. Willow bark, on the other hand, continues to provide pain relief longer than aspirin.

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Aspirin has been known for some time to help prevent heart attacks, (there are some however that maintain that it is only the “buffered” aspirin –buffered with magnesium-that actually benefit the heart and not the aspirin) in addition to reducing pain and inflammation. Although it has not been proven in clinical trials, white willow bark is thought by many to have the same effect, preventing heart attacks by thinning the blood and preventing the blood clots which cause not only heart attacks but also strokes.

Aspirin upsets some people’s stomachs, but white willow bark seems to be free of this problem. Some experts and herbalist point out that white willow bark will work on almost anything you take aspirin for. Willow bark has been shown to be effective in both osteoarthritis and back pain.

So if you are looking for some natural pain relief, and you want to avoid the problems with aspirin or drug toxicity in general, Willow bark or some herbal combination thereof could be just the thing you are looking for.

Keith M Henry is the Director of phase 3ministries, based in Orlando FL. He is medical missionary herbalist, and Naturopathic doctor candidate. Download your free copy of his report, Emergency Herbal Medicine, HERE. It may very well save your life.