Willow bark relieves pain and inflammation

Willow bark contains the chemical salicin, which is the precursor to aspirin.The active salicin in white willow bark acts primarily as both an analgesic and an antipyretic. The actual mechanism of action of salicin is very similar to that of modern prescription medications in the cyclo-oxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1, COX-2) pathways.