Used as a decoction, extract and tincture.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends White Willow Bark for 'Diseases accompanied by fever, rheumatic ailments, headaches.'

Average daily dosage corresponding to 60 - 120 mg total salicin. Mode of Administration: Liquid and solid preparations for internal use. Note: Combinations with diaphoretic drugs could be considered. Actions: Antipyretic; Antiphlogistic; Analgesic.'

Willow bark is official in the German Pharmacopeia. In German pediatric medicine, willow bark is used as an antipyretic component of various herbal preparations, particularly in combination with diaphoretic herbs. The British Herbal Compendium and the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy concur with the judgement of the German Commission E.

Willow barks of several different species have traditionally been used by Native Americans from Florida to Canada for pain relief.

The glycoside salicin, from which the body manufactures salicylic acid, is the basis of the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of willow. Natural salicylic acid is reported to produce fewer side effects than the synthetic acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), and, although initially slower acting, seems to be more long-lasting.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Tonic, antiperiodic and astringent. It has been used in dyspepsia connected with debility of the digestive organs. In convalescence from acute diseases, in worms, in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, its tonic and astringent combination renders it very useful.'

'Dosages: 1 drachm of the powdered root. 1 or 2 fluid ounces of the decoction.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Willow bark is tonic, antiperiodic, and an astringent bitter. It has been given in intermittents, dyspepsia, connected with debility of the digestive organs, passive hemorrhages, chronic mucous discharges, in convalescence from acute diseases, and in worms. Although occasionally substituted for the cinchona bark, it is inferior in activity.'

'In chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, the tonic and astringent combination of the willow renders it very eligible. It may be given in substance, in doses of 1 drachm of the powder, repeated as indicated; or of the decoction, 1 or 2 fluid ounces, 4 or 5 times a day. The decoction has also proved efficient as a local application to foul and indolent ulcers.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'This to an extent is antimalarial and like the other agents of this class it improves the tone of the gastro-intestinal tract and the glandular organs. It corrects impaired conditions of all mucous membranes and is thus of value in excessive catarrhal discharges from these membranes, being freely given in bronchorrhea, gastric catarrh, catarrhal diarrhea and in leucorrhea, in all cases acting more promptly if malarial conditions have caused the existing debility. It has antiseptic properties, of course, if antimalarial, and is a good remedy in protracted fevers.'

'It has a mild influence in controlling passive hemorrhages, but cannot be depended upon if they are severe.'

'Its antiseptic properties are apparent in its ability to correct the fetor of wounds and offensive discharges when locally applied.'