White Willow Bark (Salix alba) has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever. The most useful health benefits of white willow bark may include its possible ability to reduce fevers, eliminate pain, lower inflammation, treat migraines, soothe the stomach, heal the skin, help with weight loss, and protect oral health. Infusions made from this bark are high in Salicylic acid which is where its pain relieving properties come from.
You can consume it in the form of a tea by steeping chopped bark, but not the powdered form. You can also take capsules of willow bark, as well as topical tinctures and decoctions. The possibly high concentration of unique chemicals, such as various tannins and salicin, may have a strong impact on the body and result in significant health benefits if prepared and administered properly.
Each herb possesses unique ways of helping you to stay healthy and support your body, mind, and spirit. Herbs are used for a variety of purposes. In addition to medicines, herbs are often used for making teas, bathing, body care products, flower essences, supplements, and as fragrances.
Many thousands of years after mankind uncovered the medicinal and spiritual use of these plants, scientists have acquired the tools that were needed to figure out how they worked and confirm their effectiveness. You can see an example of this in scientific articles confirming the effectiveness of elderberry improving your immune system with thousands of antioxidants and even anticarcinogenic effects!
We encourage you to do your research before ingesting any herb. This is especially true if you are taking any medications, as many herbs interact with specific types of medications (St. Johns Wort and Antidepressants for example, causes serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal). Always consult your doctor before trying to treat, diagnose, or cure any medical condition, as they know what is best specifically for you.