White willow bark

A credible pain herb, but it carries the same broad caution zone as salicylates and is not appropriate for everyone.

A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.

Trials support white willow bark for low-back pain and osteoarthritis-like discomfort. Salicin and related compounds drive slower-onset analgesic effects compared with aspirin.

• May reduce musculoskeletal pain
• Provides botanical salicylate activity
• Useful when a slower herbal analgesic is preferred

Typical extract use depends on salicin standardization, often targeting 120-240 mg/day of salicin equivalents.

• GI upset
• Bleeding risk
• Allergic reactions in salicylate-sensitive users

Avoid in children with viral illness, aspirin allergy, ulcers, kidney disease, or with anticoagulants and other salicylates.

It is gentler and slower than aspirin but not free of salicylate-related risks.

• Pain55
• Recovery25