Willow Bark

The effective dose of willow bark extract is 120 to 240 mg, with onset requiring up to one week of consistent use. One clinical study demonstrated that willow bark was as effective as aspirin at reducing inflammation. The inability to patent natural plant compounds limits commercial incentive for large clinical trials of willow bark, explaining its limited mainstream promotion. Aspirin was developed by isolating and synthesizing salicylic acid from willow bark, a plant with a long history of traditional use for pain and fever. Willow bark inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, a separate inflammatory pathway that aspirin does not address. Willow bark delivers a complex of phytonutrients including flavonoids and polyphenols that work through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, making it more effective and safer than isolated salicylic acid. Willow bark does not cause GI mucosal damage, whereas aspirin destroys the mucosal lining. Willow bark is effective for gout in addition to general pain and inflammation.