Willow Bark

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 20, 2021.

What are other common names?

• Salix alba
• Salix daphnoides
• Salix fragilis
• Salix nigra
• Salix pentandra
• Salix purpurea
• Basket Willow
• Bay Willow
• Black Willow
• Black Willow Extract
• Black Willowbark
• Brittle Willow
• Corteza de Sauce
• Crack Willow
• Daphne Willow
• European Willow
• European Willow Bark
• Extrait d'Écorce de Saule
• Extrait d'Écorce de Saule Blanc
• Extrait de Saule
• Extrait de Saule Blanc
• Knackweide
• Laurel Willow
• Lorbeerweide
• Organic Willow
• Osier Blanc
• Osier Roug
• Purple Osier Willow
• Purple Osier Willow/Basket Willow
• Purple Willow
• Purpurweide
• Pussy Willow
• Reifweide
• Salicis cortex
• Saule
• Saule Argenté
• Saule Blanc
• Saule Commun
• Saule des Viviers
• Saule Discolore
• Saule Fragile
• Saule Noir
• Saule Pourpre
• Silberweid
• Violet Willow
• Weidenrinde
• White Willow
• White Willow Bark
• White Willow Extract
• Wild Countryside White Willow
• Willow
• Willow Bark Extract
• Écorce de Saule Blanc

What is this product used for?

Willow bark may help with pain, especially in people with arthritis or low back pain.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• This product interferes with many drugs. It reduces the effectiveness of many drugs. It increases side effects of some drugs. Talk with your doctor before you start using this product.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.

• Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) while taking this product.

• Do not take this product if you are allergic to aspirin.

• Do not give this product to children or teenagers with the flu or other viral infections.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or enoxaparin (Lovenox).

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase (Activase), reteplase (Retavase), or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Naprosyn).

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Kidney problems

  • Liver problems

  • Bleeding problems

  • Stomach ulcers