You seem to be using an older version of Internet Explorer. This site requires Internet Explorer 8 or higher. Update your browser here today to fully enjoy all the marvels of this site.
Howcast empowers people with engaging, useful how-to information wherever, whenever they need to know how. Emphasizing high-quality instructional videos, Howcast brings you experts who provide accurate information in easy-to-follow tutorials on everything from makeup, hairstyling, nail art design, and soccer to parkour, skateboarding, dancing, kissing, and much, much more.
Warning
People who are allergic or sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin should not use willow bark.
Step 1: Find a willow tree
Find a tree in the willow family. Examples include quaking aspens, bigtooth aspens, white willows, black willows, crack willows, purple willows, and weeping willows.
Step 2: Remove bark
Cut into the tree's bark, strip it off, and isolate the inner bark. In spring and summer, the bark can be removed in long continuous strips.
Tip
If you cannot peel the bark off, scrape off the inner and outer bark using the edge of a sharp knife.
Step 3: Make a tea
Simmer 2 teaspoons of the inner bark in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool before drinking.
Tip
If you cannot make a tea, an option is to chew on the bark.
Step 4: Avoid overdosing
Drink no more than 4 cups of this tea each day. Overdosing has been known to occur.
Did You Know?
Aspirin works by reducing the production of pain-triggering hormones called prostaglandins.