White Willow is the original herbal aspirin. It contains an aspirin-like chemical called salicin. Salicin is the precursor of aspirin: it relieves pain, headaches, reduces fever and has anti-inflammatory qualities.

White Willow is especially beneficial because it does not cause the stomach upset that many people experience with aspirin. In fact, one of the constituents in White Willow--tannin--is a digestive aid. Useful as an antacid in stomach troubles (heartburn, gas, indigestion).

Women take it to relieve menstrual cramps. The salicylate acts to suppress prostaglandins, which are a factor in menstrual cramps.

White Willow may soothe inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism. Some research suggests that it may play a role in lowering blood sugar.

To be safe, pregnant women should not take White Willow, since studies have shown that aspirin (which is similar to White Willow) may increase your risk of birth defects.
It is not an appropriate remedy for children under two, or for children under sixteen who have a cold, fever, flu or chicken pox. This is because White Willow closely resembles aspirin, which has been linked with Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal condition associated with children's fevers. While there has been no direct evidence linking White Willow with Reye syndrome, it is better to err on the side of caution.

• Recommended Dosage

Read More About It

• Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: White willow [HTML] by Jennifer Wurges.

• Willows: The Genus Salix by Christopher Newsholme.