White Willow Bark P . E .
Product Name: White Willow Bark P. E.
Botanical Source: Salix alba .
Used Part: Bark
Assay: Salicin 15% - 98%
Appearance: Brown fine powder
Test method :HPLC
Plant Description:
The willow family includes a number of different species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and some parts of North America . Some of the more commonly known are white willow/European willow ( Salix alba ), black willow/pussy willow ( Salix nigra ), crack willow ( Salix fragilis ), purple willow ( Salix purpurea ), and weeping willow ( Salix alba ). The willow bark sold in Europe and the United States usually includes a combination of the bark from white, purple, and crack willows.
Medicinal Uses and Indications
Willow bark is used to ease pain and reduce inflammation, and there is good evidence that it is effective as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Researchers believe that the chemical salicin, found in willow bark, is responsible for these effects. However, studies have 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), and at a much lower dose. Researchers theorize that may be due to the other compounds in the herb. More research is needed.
Treatment
Studies suggest that willow bark may be useful for the following conditions:
Headache
Willow bark has been shown to relieve headaches and there is some evidence that it is less likely to cause the same gastrointestinal side effects that other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and other non al anti-inflammatory drugs, do. However, studies have not shown this conclusively, and people who are prone to stomach upset may want to avoid willow bark. Large-scale studies are needed to fully determine the safety and effectiveness of willow bark for chronic or recurrent headaches.
Low back pain
Willow bark appears to be effective for back pain. In a well-designed study of nearly 200 people with low back pain, those who received willow bark experienced a significant improvement in pain compared to those who received placebo. People who received higher doses of willow bark (240 mg salicin) had more significant pain relief than those who received low doses (120 mg salicin).
Osteoarthritis
Several studies have shown that willow is more effective at reducing pain from osteoarthritis than placebo. In a small study of people with osteoarthritis of the neck or lower back, those who received willow bark experienced significant improvement in symptoms compared to those who received placebo. A similar study of 78 patients hospitalized with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint found that patients who received willow bark experienced significant pain relief compared to those who received placebo.
Other uses
Some professional herbalists may recommend willow bark for the following conditions, although at present, no scientific studies have supported these uses:
Menstrual cramps
Fever
Flu
Tendonitis
Bursitis