What is it used for?
Used in Herbal Medicine for short-term relief of lower back pain [Source note 2].
Used in Herbal Medicine to relieve minor joint pain (due to osteoarthritis) (EMA 2017, ESCOP 2003).
Used in Herbal Medicine to relieve fever associated with the common cold [Source note 3].
Used in Herbal Medicine to relieve headache [Source note 4].
Notes: The above uses can be combined on the product label (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve fever associated with the common cold and headache).
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Note: When ‘decoction’ or ‘infusion’ is listed as an acceptable method of preparation, ‘decoction concentrate’ or ‘infusion concentrate’ is also allowed. It also applies to standardized methods of preparation.
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
3- 9 grams of dried (young branch) bark per day in divided doses: Not to exceed 3 grams per single dose [Source note 5]
Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
Extract providing up to 15% total salicin equivalent to 45 - 240 milligrams of total salicin per day in divided doses; Not to exceed 120 milligrams of salicin per single dose [Source note 6]
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 6 weeks [Source note 7].
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have asthma or peptic ulcer disease [Source note 8].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking blood thinners or products containing salicylates (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) [Source note 9].
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 10].
Do not use if you are allergic to salicylates (EMA 2017; Brinker 2010; Wichtl 2004, ESCOP 2003; Barnes et al. 2002; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
Possible side effects
When using this product you may experience gastrointestinal discomfort/disturbances [Source note 11]
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Bark | Willow Bark |
|
| Dry |
References: Proper name: Blumenthal et al. 2000, Bradley 1992; Common name: Blumenthal et al. 2000, Bradley 1992; Source information: USDA 2023, EMA 2017, Wichtl 2004, ESCOP 2003, Blumenthal et al. 2000.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- March 28, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.