White willow bark has been recorded for medicinal purposes back to Ancient
Egypt. The Eygptians used white willow as a painkiller and as an anti-flammatory.
The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about white willow's medicinal uses in 5th
century B.C.
People take white willow bark instead of aspirin because it does not appear to
be as irritating to the stomach lining. White willow bark is used for conditions that
cause pain, inflammation, or fever.