Dear Faldage: Actually I was remembering Botany lab in 1935, when plant hormones called
auxins were discovered. They flow preferntially on side away from sun, and cause plant
axis to bend toward the sun.
I don't doubt that the willow bark has active agent. The problem is having no way of knowing
what the therapeutic dose is, or of avoiding overdose. For a long time digitalis preparations had
same problem, and it took very smart chemists with statistical sophistication to provide a safe
and effective medication. That's why botanicals are so undependable that I can't help making fun
of them.