A new double-blind, placebo-controlled study has shown that for some low-back pain sufferers, a high dose of willow bark extract may be an effective and safe alternative to synthetic pain relievers.
This study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, showed that a 240mg daily dose of willow bark extract was far superior to a placebo, and, was significantly more effective for pain relief than a lower willow bark dose of only 120mg.

At the end of the 4-week trial, 39% of participants in the higher dose group were pain-free, compared to only 21% taking the lower dose. Only 6% taking the placebo reported any freedom from pain.