---
title: "Willow Bark: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex"
description: "Willow bark extract may help with short-term low back pain. It contains salicylates, so it is unsuitable under 18 and with blood thinners."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/willow-bark/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

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# Willow Bark

Salix spp.

A Strong clinical evidence

Willow bark extract may help with short-term low back pain. It contains salicylates, so it is unsuitable under 18 and with blood thinners.

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Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim

Pregnancy **⚠ Avoid**

Breastfeeding **⚠ Avoid**

Children **⚠ Avoid**

Drug interactions **Interaction reported**

## At a glance

The EMA classes willow bark dry extract as "well-established use" for short-term treatment of low back pain. Bark tea rests on traditional use for minor joint pain, headache and fever with a cold. Because it contains aspirin-like salicylates, it has many contraindications and an important drug interaction.

**Parts used:** bark

**Key constituents:** Salicin (Salicylates)

Updated: October 15, 2026

✓ This herb record is backed by official European Medicines Agency (EMA HMPC) herbal monographs.

## What is it used for?

-   A Strong clinical evidence
    
    Standardised dry extract may help with short-term low back pain. \[1\]
    
-   T Traditional use
    
    Bark tea is traditionally used for minor joint pain and headache. \[1\]
    
-   T Traditional use
    
    Bark tea is traditionally used to relieve fever associated with a common cold. \[1\]
    

## How is it used?

### Tea

Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1–3 g of chopped bark; drink after meals.

**Amount:** 3 times daily

**Duration limit:** Max 4 weeks

\[1\]

### Food

For back pain, use a ready-made product with standardised dry extract as labelled.

**Amount:** Up to twice daily

**Duration limit:** See a doctor if pain persists during the first week

\[1\]

## Safety & interactions

Minimum age: 18 years

Duration limit: 28 days

-   Must not be used under 18 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
-   Do not use with allergy to aspirin (salicylates) or other NSAIDs, salicylate-sensitive asthma, an active stomach ulcer, clotting disorders, severe liver or kidney failure, or G6PD deficiency.
-   Must not be used in the last 3 months of pregnancy; not recommended earlier in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
-   See a doctor if fever exceeds 39 °C, persists or comes with a severe headache.

\[1\]

### Drug interactions

| Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Anticoagulants (e.g. coumarin derivatives such as warfarin) | May increase the effect of anticoagulants; do not combine without medical advice. [1] | Major |
| Aspirin and other painkillers (NSAIDs) | Combined use is not recommended without medical advice. [1] | Moderate |

### Side effects

-   Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives or asthma
-   Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, heartburn

#### ⚕ When to see a doctor

-   If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
-   If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
-   If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

## Did you know?

Willow bark contains salicin, so the EMA rules it out for people hypersensitive to salicylates or painkillers such as aspirin. \[1\]

## Frequently asked questions

Does willow bark work like aspirin?

Willow bark contains aspirin-like salicylates. People allergic to aspirin, those on blood thinners and under-18s should not use it.

Does willow bark help back pain?

Based on clinical data, the EMA accepts that willow bark dry extract may help with short-term low back pain.

How long can I drink willow bark tea?

Drink it after meals 3 times a day for at most 4 weeks.

Can children take willow bark?

No. Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome it must not be used under 18.

## Sources

1.  [European Union herbal monograph on Salix \[various species including S. purpurea L., S. daphnoides Vill., S. fragilis L.\], cortex – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-salix-various-species-including-s-purpurea-l-s-daphnoides-vill-s-fragilis-l-cortex_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2017

### Cite This Page

Willow Bark (Salix spp.). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/willow-bark/

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-   [Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herbal-products-in-pregnancy/)

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This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.