WHITE WILLOW SALIX ALBA

WHITE WILLOW (Salix alba L.) ++

Synonyms :
S. alba f. chermesina (Hartig) Rehder, S. alba var. britzensis Späth.

Activities (White Willow) :
Analgesic (2; KOM; PIP; PH2; WAM); Anaphrodisiac (f; MAD); Antihydrotic (f; CAN); Antiinflammatory (2; KOM; PH2; PIP; WAM); Antiprostaglandin (1; BGB); Antipyretic (2; FNF; KOM; PIP; PH2; WAM); Antirheumatic (1; CAN; FAD); Antiseptic (CAN); Astringent (1; APA; FAD; PED; PH2); Bitter (1; FAD; PED); Contraceptive (f; MAD); Keratolytic (1; FNF); Sedative (f; MAD); Tonic (f; BIB).

Indications (White Willow) :
Ankylosing Spondylitis (1; CAN); Arthrosis (1; APA; FAD; MAD; SKY); Bursitis (f; SKY); Callus (f; BIB; JLH); Cancer (f; BIB; FAD; JLH); Candida (f; BIB); Cardiopathy (1; FAD); Catarrh (1; CAN); Cataract (1; FAD); Cold (1; APA); Colic (f; MAD); Corn (1; BIB; FAD; MAD); Debility (f; BIB); Dermatosis (1; FAD; MAD); Diabetes (f; MAD); Diarrhea (1; APA; BIB; FAD; MAD); Dysentery (f; BIB); Dysmenorrhea (f; BIB; MAD); Dyspepsia (f; BIB; FEL; MAD); Earache (1; MAD; PED); Encephalosis (f; MAD); Enterosis (f; DEM); Fever (2; APA; FAD; FNF; KOM; MAD; PH2; PIP; WAM); Flu (1; BIB; FNF); Fungus (1; CEB); Gout (1; APA; MAD; PNC); Headache (1; BGB; PH2; PIP; WAM); Hemoptysis (f; BIB; MAD; WOI); Hoarseness (f; DEM); Infection (1; APA); Inflammation (2; APA; KOM; PH2; PIP; WAM); Influenza (1; CAN); Insomnia (f; MAD); Malaria (f; BIB; DEP; FEL); Myosis (1; APA; CAN); Nervousness (f; MAD); Neurasthenia (f; MAD); Neuropathy (f; MAD); Obesity (f; APA); Osteoarthrosis (1; SKY); Pain (2; KOM; PHR; PH2; PIP; PNC; WAM); Pertussis (f; MAD); Poison Ivy (1; FAD); Rheumatism (2; CAN; FAD; PHR; PH2; PIP); Scrofula (f; MAD); Sore (f; BIB; FAD; FEL; MAD); Sprain (1; APA); Tendinitis (1; BGB); Thrush (f; BIB); Toothache (1; BGB; JAD); Ulcus cruris (f; MAD); Vaginosis (f; BIB); Wart (1; FNF; JLH); Worm (f; MAD).

Dosages (White Willow) :
2–3 g bark in cold water, bring to boil, steep 5 minutes (PH2); 1–2 g bark (20–40 mg salicin); 2–4 tbsp fresh bark (PED); 1–2 tsp powdered bark 1–3 ×/day (APA); 3–6 g dry bark (PED); 1–3 g dry bark, or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 4.5 g dry bark:22 ml alcohol/23 ml water (PED); 1–2 ml bark tincture (25% alcohol) 3 ×/day (APA; SKY); 1–3 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 20–40 mg salicin (APA); 60–120 mg salicin/day (KOM; PIP); 2–3 (380 mg) capsules every 3 hours (JAD); 2–3 (379 mg) capsules as needed, or every 3 hours, up to 18 capsules (APA).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (White Willow) :
Class 1 (AHP). Salicylates and tannins (AHP). For oral use of bark Commission E reports contraindications, adverse effects, and interactions: on theoretical grounds, similar to those of the salicylates (AEH) (all plants contain salicylates). In view of the lack of toxicological data, excessive use, especially during lactation and pregnancy, should be avoided. Individuals with aspirin hypersensitivity, asthma, diabetes, gastrosis, gout, hemophilia, hepatosis, hypothrombinemia, nephrosis, and peptic ulcers should be cautious with salicylates. Alcohol, barbiturates, and oral sedatives may potentiate salicylate toxicity. Beware of salicylate interaction with oral anticoagulants, methotrexate, metoclopramide, phenytoin, pronebecid, spironolactone, and valproate. Salicylates excreted in breast milk reportedly can cause macular rashes in breast-fed babies. Salicylate toxicity may cause dermatosis, gastrosis, hematochezia, nausea, nephrosis, tinnitus, and vomiting (CAN). Excessive use of the tannin-rich bark may cause diarrhea and nausea (SKY). Still, “willow is much safer than aspirin” (SKY). Not for use during viral infections, because of [remote theoretical, JAD] possibility of Reye’s Syndrome (WAM). The prodrug, salicin, which does not irritate the stomach, is metabolized to saligenin in the GI tract and salicylic acid after absorption. “Products containing willow should preferably be standardized on their salicin content...” (CAN). “The analgesic actions of willow are typically slow-acting, but last longer than standard aspirin products” (SKY).