Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Aspirin-like GI bleeding and ulceration risk
- Contraindicated in children with viral illness -- Reye syndrome risk
- Interacts with warfarin, NSAIDs, methotrexate
- Salicylate allergy contraindication
Contraindications
- Aspirin-like GI bleeding and ulceration risk
- Contraindicated in children with viral illness -- Reye syndrome risk
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
White willow bark contains salicin, which is metabolised to salicylic acid (the active metabolite of aspirin). It has aspirin-like antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects. Risk of GI bleeding and ulceration similar to aspirin. Contraindicated in children with viral infections (Reye syndrome risk). Interacts with anticoagulants, NSAIDs, and methotrexate.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Salix alba bark extract
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 3 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Aspirin-like GI bleeding and ulceration risk
- Contraindicated in children with viral illness -- Reye syndrome risk
- Interacts with warfarin, NSAIDs, methotrexate
- Salicylate allergy contraindication
The available scientific evidence for White Willow Bark indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 3/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 14/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 3 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 3 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 12:55
Evidence Distribution
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffect of Microwave and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction on the Phytochemical and In Vitro Biological Properties of Willow (Salix alba) Bark Aqueous and Ethanolic… ↗Aleman RS et al.. Effect of Microwave and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction on the Phytochemical and In Vitro Biological Properties of Willow (Salix alba) Bark Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts.. Plants (Basel). 2023. PMID:37447094.PMID 37447094 ↗Journal Plants (Basel)Year 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37447094/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe effect of Salix alba L. bark extract on dark circles in vitro and in vivo. ↗Jeon S et al.. The effect of Salix alba L. bark extract on dark circles in vitro and in vivo.. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2023. PMID:37235713.PMID 37235713 ↗Journal Int J Cosmet SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37235713/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSalix alba (white willow) medicinal plant presents genotoxic effects in human cultured leukocytes. ↗Maistro EL et al.. Salix alba (white willow) medicinal plant presents genotoxic effects in human cultured leukocytes.. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2019. PMID:31906808.PMID 31906808 ↗Journal J Toxicol Environ Health AYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31906808/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for White Willow Bark. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for White Willow Bark
A score of 5.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.