Introduction:
Willow bark comes from a weeping deciduous tree or shrub which has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for aches, pains, and fever. Willow bark containes salicin which metabolizes into salicylic acid and has a similar response in the body as aspirin.
Willow Bark Adverse Reactions and Interactions:
Willow bark and it’s extract contains salicin which resuts in similar effects as aspirin in the body. Willow bark has antiplatelet effects and may interact with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, and aspirin to increase risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen was reported as a potential cause of kidney damage when taken with willow which contains salicylate. Willow bark should not be used long-term. Willow bark should not be used for children with a fever. Caution should be exercised in patiients with a history of any type of bleeding, low platelet counts, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
Willow bark and osteoarthritis:
Schmid B, et al tested osteoarthritis patients with standardized willow bark extract containing a dose of 240 mg of salicin or placebo in a randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. After 2 weeks, the WOMAC score (used to evaluate osteoarthritis pain) was found to have improved by 14% in the treatment group and worsened by 2% in the placebo group. The study was limited in being performed over a short time, and the treatment was not compared to other treatment such as standard aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Summary and Conclusion: Willow Bark
- Preventive Health Advisor does not recommend Willow bark or it’s extract over standard aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Willow bark contains salicin which resuts in similar effects as aspirin in the body. All of these agents mentioned should not be taken without the direction and oversight by a physician.
- Willow bark and it’s extract contains salicin which resuts in similar effects as aspirin in the body. Willow bark has antiplatelet effects and may interact with C, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, and aspirin to increase risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen was reported as a potential cause of kidney damage when taken with willow which contains salicylate. Willow bark should not be used long-term. Willow bark should not be used for children with a fever. Caution should be exercised in patiients with a history of any type of bleeding, low platelet counts, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
- Standardized willow bark extract containing a dose of 240 mg of salicin or placebo in a randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial seemed efficacious for pain, but it is unclear what negative effects would be seen beyond 2 weeks, and how this treatment would compare to standard aspirin or other treatments such as standard aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
References:
1.Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2002 Dec; 27(6): 391-401. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12472978
2.Schmid B, Lüdtke R, Selbmann HK, Kötter I, Tschirdewahn B, Schaffner W, Heide L. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis: randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2001 Jun;15(4):344-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11406860
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