Willow bark and bones & joints
What 3 graded rows on willow bark agree on for bones & joints, and where they differ. Counted side by side, never averaged.
Consensus finder Rows from the Willow bark page, reviewed Oct 21, 2026 How it decides
What the rows agree on
Each block and row is one graded row from the Willow bark page, with its PubMed record.
Your question
Willow bark and bones & joints
3 rows · 396 peopleMostly an improvement: 2 of 3 rows, and most of the people. 1 found no difference.
- BGrade B× 1
- DGrade D× 2
- Rows
- 3
- Trials
- 3
- People
- 396
Where they differ
From the rowsThe best-graded row, grade B, is a randomized trial of 191 people (2000) and found an improvement.
The row that found no difference ran longer (6 weeks) than the 2 rows that found an improvement (2 to 4 weeks).
The row that found no difference is newer (2004) than the 2 rows that found an improvement (2000 to 2001).
The best grade is B among the rows that found an improvement, and D among the row that found no difference.
The rows
2 improved · 1 no difference- BGrade BLow back pain flare-ups · Improved
RCT · n 191 · 2000 · Adults with an exacerbation of chronic low back pain (210 enrolled)
120 or 240 mg salicin/day · 4 weeks
Pain-free without rescue tramadol in the final week: 39% (high dose), 21% (low dose), 6% (placebo); one person had a severe allergic reaction, possibly to the extract.
Row on the Willow bark page · PubMed 10936472 (opens PubMed)
- DGrade DOsteoarthritis pain · Improved
RCT · n 78 · 2001 · Adults with osteoarthritis
240 mg salicin/day · 2 weeks
WOMAC pain fell 14% versus a 2% rise with placebo, a small but significant difference (6.5 mm).
Row on the Willow bark page · PubMed 11406860 (opens PubMed)
- DGrade DHip or knee osteoarthritis pain · No difference
RCT · n 127 · 2004 · Outpatients with hip or knee osteoarthritis
240 mg salicin/day · 6 weeks
Pain fell 17% with willow bark, 47% with diclofenac and 10% with placebo; willow bark did not differ significantly from placebo. A 26-person rheumatoid arthritis trial was also negative.
Row on the Willow bark page · PubMed 15517622 (opens PubMed)