Is Willow Bark antifungal? (2023)

What does willow bark do for skin?

Derived from the bark of the willow tree, Willow Bark Extract has been used for centuries to soothe irritated skin. Containing salicin—from which salicylic acid is derived—this versatile ingredient is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, clearing pores and alleviating acne and irritation.

Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in China and Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain (particularly low back pain and osteoarthritis), headache, and inflammatory conditions, such as bursitis and tendinitis.

Willow bark is one of the few plant substances with such a broad spectrum of action, and it has analgesic, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, antithrombotic, antirheumatic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.

Children and adolescents up to the age of 16 are generally discouraged from taking willow bark for any reason. This is because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare condition that causes brain and liver damage. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are also discouraged from taking any medication that contains salicylates.

The bark of Willow trees is rich in salicylic acid, a phenolic chemical which benefits the plant in multiple ways. It has antibiotic and antifungal properties, so protects against infection, and has been shown to prevent the growth of plants close by, a phenomenon known as allelopathy.

Works well with: As an exfoliating ingredient, willow bark extract can be slightly drying, so Petrillo suggests always following up with a good moisturizer. To boost the exfoliating and skin-cleansing benefits of willow bark extract, Petrillo recommends using products with salicylic acid, too.

Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic.

When taken by mouth: Willow bark is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It might cause diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting in some people. It can also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in people who are allergic to aspirin.

(2021). Salicinoids of willow bark can decompose into salicylic acid, which has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties (Singh et al., 2004; Wood, 2015).

Assalix®, a commercial willow bark preparation, contains 240 mg of salicin per tablet. Overdose can lead to serious consequences, including stomach ulcers and bleeding.

How did the Egyptians use willow bark?

The pharmacological properties of the leaves and bark were recognized by the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Greeks, who used willow to treat pain, inflammation, and fever, though not all willow species have a sufficient quantity of salicin to be used medicinally.

WHAT IS WILLOW BARK USED FOR? blood thinner, it has also been used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

The multi-component active principle of willow bark provides a broader mechanism of action than aspirin and is devoid of serious adverse events. In contrast to synthetic aspirin, willow bark does not damage the gastrointestinal mucosa. An extract dose with 240 mg salicin had no major impact on blood clotting.

However, toxicities associated with salicylates apply to willow bark. Patients should be monitored for blood in stools, tinnitus, nausea or vomiting, and stomach or kidney toxicity.

It may be less stronger than salicylic acid, but willow bark extract is still effective in exfoliating skin and reducing acne. Willow bark extract is a potent herbal remedy for many skin problems. It can exfoliate your skin, reduce excess oil, clear up your pores as well as help to keep your skin hydrated.

It Clears Pores

While the salicin present in willow bark is not the same molecule as salicylic acid, they do share common properties.

Some skin care brands tout willow bark as a natural alternative to the salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliants. This association comes from the fact that willow bark contains salicin, a substance that when taken orally is converted by the digestive process to salicylic acid.

Willow bark is one of the many ingredients our YELLE Beauty Team relies on to help fade dark spots and blemishes.

Willow bark extract is a great component to a variety of skincare products, and because it's excellent as both an anti-aging ingredient and a gentle acne-buster, it's really ideal as a component in high-quality facial cleansers.

Does willow bark unclog pores?

“[Red] willow bark can be thought of as an alternative to salicylic acid as it contains salicin, which helps to unclog pores and reduce breakouts and blemishes,” says Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Willow bark may interact with any of the following: Anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications) -- Willow bark may strengthen the effects of drugs and herbs with blood-thinning properties. Beta blockers -- including Atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL), Propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA).

Although willow bark can ease the inflammation of arthritis, it may not protect you from a heart attack, stroke or cancer, and it can be irritating to the digestive tract. We would suggest following your physician's recommendation to stick with low-dose aspirin.

The exfoliating properties of Willow Bark mean it is an essential for scalp exfoliation, helping to remove dirt and product build-up from the scalp and helping to shift dead skin cells. Willow Bark in hair products also helps to control excess sebum on the scalp, leaving strands looking healthy and balanced.

Willow (Salix ssp.) contains salicin – the compound found in aspirin, as well as tannins. Willow bark tincture and willow bark tea (decoction) are the best ways to benefit from willow. Most commonly, Salix alba, varieties are used for medicinal purposes, as well as Salix nigra.

In 1826, Henri Leroux isolated what was later to be called “salicin” from willow bark.

Use 1-2 teaspoons of willow bark to make 1 cup of medicinal tea. I use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dry willow bark per 16 ounces of water (makes about 8-10 ounces of tea after boiling and simmering).

Willow tree bark was the original source of aspirin, while the antibiotic penicillin came from an ordinary mold.

In some Northern California tribes, willow sprigs are carried for spiritual protection; in the Karuk tribe, willow sprigs are attached to boats to protect them from stormy waters. To the Arapaho tribe, the willow tree was a symbol of longevity. Willow is also used as a clan symbol in some Native American cultures.

The California Indians have used willow in their food storage baskets and built their homes out of willow because willow leaves and willow branches contain salicin, a natural insect repellent that helped keep hungry insects away from their food and seed stores and homes.

Is aspirin still made from willow bark?

It is a common misconception that aspirin is found in the bark of the willow tree.

Native Americans chewed willow bark (shown above) to soothe aches and pains. The active ingredient in the bark is salicin, a chemical that in 1897 formed the basis of the discovery of aspirin, the most commonly used drug in the world.

Therefore, it is most often used to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and to treat fever. It has also been used to prevent blood clots associated with heart disease, although its effectiveness is in question for this purpose. It is used in both dogs and cats.

Records of monastic medicine describe the effects of willow bark as a sweat-inducing, pain-relieving diuretic. Willow bark also gained acceptance for relieving mild arthrosis and inflammatory rheumatic conditions.

Willow bark acts a lot like aspirin, so it is used for pain, including headache, muscle or joint pain, menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, gout, and a disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis. Willow bark's pain relieving potential has been recognized throughout history.

Most people can consume 1–3 cups of white willow bark tea per day. Drink one cup and wait several hours before taking another dose to make sure you don't react poorly.

Drinking white willow tea 2-3 times a day is useful in treating mild fever, cold and flu.

Willow bark extract is a great component to a variety of skincare products, and because it's excellent as both an anti-aging ingredient and a gentle acne-buster, it's really ideal as a component in high-quality facial cleansers.

Willow bark is one of the many ingredients our YELLE Beauty Team relies on to help fade dark spots and blemishes.

It might cause diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting in some people. It can also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in people who are allergic to aspirin. Pregnancy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if willow bark is safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Is willow bark an anti-inflammatory?

Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic.

The exfoliating properties of Willow Bark mean it is an essential for scalp exfoliation, helping to remove dirt and product build-up from the scalp and helping to shift dead skin cells. Willow Bark in hair products also helps to control excess sebum on the scalp, leaving strands looking healthy and balanced.

Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation.

Further, vitamin C can reduce the appearance of dark spots by blocking the production of pigment in our skin.

In contrast to synthetic aspirin, willow bark does not damage the gastrointestinal mucosa. An extract dose with 240 mg salicin had no major impact on blood clotting. In patients with known aspirin allergy willow bark products are contraindicated.

(2021). Salicinoids of willow bark can decompose into salicylic acid, which has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties (Singh et al., 2004; Wood, 2015).