Willow Bark (basket willow, bay willow, brittle willow, osier rouge, purple osier, Salicis cortex, Salix species, Salix spp, violet willow, white willow)
Classes: Analgesics, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Basket willow, bay willow (willow bark)
Extract
120-240 mg salicin PO TID-QId
Dried Bark
1-3 g PO TID-QId
Tea
1 cup PO TID-QID; prepared with 1-3 g bark/150 ml water
Liquid Extract
1-3 ml PO qDay; 1:1 25% alcohoL
Suggested uses of Basket willow, bay willow (willow bark)
Fever, gouty arthritis, headaches, inflammation, influenza symptoms, muscle/joint aches, pain, rheumatoid arthritis
Basket willow, bay willow (willow bark) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Blood in stooL
GI complaints
Hypersensitivity reactions
Kidney damage
Liver necrosis
Nausea/vomiting
Salicylate toxicity
Skin rash (topical use)
Tinnitus
Warnings
Contraindications
Aspirin hypersensitivity, asthma, diabetes mellitus, gout, hemophilia, hypoprothrombinemia, kidney disease, liver disease, PUD, viral infection (peds)
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: unsafe
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Basket willow, bay willow (willow bark)
Mechanism of action
Contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid
