The White Willow tree is native to central and southern Europe, and western and central Asia. It is a large deciduous tree that can grow to heights of up to 75 feet. White Willow (Salix alba [Latin]), also known as weeping willow, and Salicin willow, has been renowned for its pain- and inflammation-relieving abilities for thousands of years. The bark of the white willow tree contains salicin, an analgesic compound from which from which salicylic acid and later acetylsalicylic acid (otherwise known as aspirin) were derived. Today, herbalists recommend white willow bark for headache, fever, arthritis, and other disorders characterized by pain and inflammation, including heart disease.
White willow bark is effective for :
-Easing pain associated with muscle aches, menstrual cramps, headaches and toothaches.
-It reduces inflammation of the joints, tendons, stomach, intestines and gums.
-It is also effective at reducing fevers.
-It
