White Willow Bark: What It Is and How to Use It
White willow bark (Salix alba) is the dried bark of the white willow tree, famous in herbal history because it contains salicin — the compound that led to the development of aspirin. You can find dried white willow bark at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805, sold by weight from our bulk herb section.
Available in Bulk
We carry white willow bark in our bulk herb section, so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful to try in a traditional tea, all the way up to a full bag. Our staff can help you find it on the bulk wall and talk through how it is traditionally prepared.
What We Carry
- White willow bark, cut and sifted — dried bark pieces, the classic form for decoctions and traditional teas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does white willow bark taste like?
White willow bark tea is bitter and astringent, with a woody, earthy character. Traditional recipes almost always blend it with other herbs — peppermint, chamomile, or licorice root — to make it more drinkable.
What is the connection between willow bark and aspirin?
Willow bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic acid. In the 1800s, chemists isolated salicin from willow bark, and that research eventually led to the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid — aspirin — by Bayer in 1899. Willow bark tea was the original "headache bark" long before the modern tablet existed.
What is white willow bark traditionally used for?
In herbal traditions around the world, willow bark has been used for centuries for occasional aches and discomfort — Hippocrates wrote about willow's uses over 2,000 years ago. People traditionally brewed it as a tea for head and muscle discomfort. These are traditional uses, not medical advice, and willow bark is not the same as aspirin.
Is white willow bark safe for everyone?
No — because it contains salicylates, the same cautions that apply to aspirin apply here: it should be avoided by children and teens with viral illnesses, people allergic to aspirin, and anyone on blood thinners, unless a doctor says otherwise. If you take medications or have a medical condition, check with your healthcare provider first.
Did you know? The story of willow bark is one of the most famous in herbal medicine: English clergyman Edward Stone reported in 1763 that willow bark eased fevers, and Bayer's synthesis of aspirin in 1899 grew directly out of that research — making it arguably the most successful drug ever derived from a plant (source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society / Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find white willow bark in the bulk herb section.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.