Salicin is closely related in chemical make-up to aspirin and has a
very similar action in the human body. When consumed, it is
metabolized to salicylic acid.
Salicin safely be taken long-term
at recommended doses. Higher than commonly recommended doses of
this herb can cause stomach upset, nausea, or tinnitus (ringing in
the ears). If any of these reactions develop. Stop taking the
herb.
Avoid white willow bark, which can irritate the stomach, if you are
sensitive to aspirin, or if you have an ulcer or other
gastrointestinal disorder.
As with aspirin products, never give white willow bark to children
or teenagers under age *6 with symptoms of the cold, the flu, or
chicken pox. Although white willow bark is unlikely to cause the
rare but potentially fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in such
cases—it is metabolized differently than aspirin—the similarity to
aspirin is close enough to warrant caution
