Willow bark is the bark of several varieties of willow tree. Willow bark has been used for centuries to treat pain naturally. The active ingredient used in aspirin, which works as a pain reliever is salicin. Salicin is found in willow bark.
Willow bark is found in several forms and can be purchased from most health stores and pharmacies. It can be found in a powder, capsules, liquid and bark.
One opportunity to integrate willow bark into your diet is to consume it as tea. Steeping willow bark in tea for two to three minutes while hot. Then consuming the warm tea.
In a 2014, National Institute of Health study, willow bark was found to reduce back pain in study participants. It has also been shown to relieve joint pain because willow bark works the same way as aspirin by reducing inflammation and pain as it enters your blood stream.
While willow bark is a natural pain remedy, there are some people who should not use willow bark. If you have an allergy to aspirin it is likely you will react to willow bark as well. Willow bark can also interact with cardiac medications like beta-blockers and blood thinners.
As with any herb or natural remedy, you should speak with your health care provider and see if it might be right for you.
