White Willow Bark, the herbal
aspirin
Where does White Willow Bark
come from?
White willow bark comes from the white willow tree, which can grow up
to 23 meters tall. This tree is native to Europe and
Asia
and the name "white
willow" comes from the leaves, which are covered with fine
white hairs.
Chinese herbalists used this natural pain killer for centuries and in
the 18th century Western medicine recognized white willow as a pain
reliever and fever reducer. European settlers brought the
white
willow tree to North America, where they discovered that the local
people were already using some of the native willow species to
alleviate pain and fight fevers.
German and French scientists isolated the plant"s active ingredient -
salicin - in 1828. A decade later, European chemists
manufactured
salicylic acid, a chemical related to aspirin, from salicin.
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, was later created from
another
herb containing salicin. At the end of the 19th century, the
Bayer company had started to commercially produce aspirin.
Concentrations of salicin are highest in the bark of the white willow
and Salix
alba is the most popular
species used for medicinal purposes.
How can White Willow Bark help
me?
The salicin that comes from white willow bark is metabolized in your
body to form salicylic acid, which reduces inflammation, pain and
fever. Even though this herb is slower acting than aspiring,
the beneficial effects of white willow bark last longer and has fewer
side effects than aspirin. The most important fact is that
white willow bark does not cause stomach bleeding like commercially
available aspirin.
White willow bark is most effective at relieving headaches and severe
muscle pain. The symptoms that are commonly associated with
flu (fever, muscle aches, headache) are also greatly relieved when you
use white willow bark.
White willow bark is also very effective in alleviating toothache.
Research conducted proved that people who suffer from osteoarthritis
benefit from using low doses of white willow bark daily to relieve
chronic pain associated with this debilitating condition.
White willow bark reduces the swelling and inflammation
associated with rheumatic conditions and increases joint mobility.
Women will also benefit by taking white willow bark as it eases the
pain of menstrual cramps. Hormone-like chemicals called
prostaglandins cause the pain associated with the menstrual cycle and
the salicin in white willow bark helps to regulate these hormones.
Recently, white willow bark has become popular as a weight loss herbal
supplement. On its own, white willow bark extract offers
little benefits, but combined with other dietary supplements it is
thought to increase the thermogenic activity of several other fat
burning products by increasing energy expenditure and
promoting fat metabolism.
If I am already on medicine,
what are the interactions or side
effects I need to know about when using White willow bark?
Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal
medications should you be under their care.
High doses of white willow bark can cause stomach upsets, ringing in
the ears (tinnitus) and nausea. If any of these side effects
occur, lower the dosage or stop taking the herb.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take willow bark.
White willow bark has an anti-coagulant effect and people using
blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin should not take this herbal
remedy.
People who are using beta-blockers for high blood pressure should not
take white willow bark as it may make the drugs less effective.
Do not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen with
white willow bark as it might increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Do not give white willow bark to children under the age of 16 as it can
cause a potentially fatal brain and liver condition known as Reye"s
syndrome.
How do I use White willow bark?
Make sure that you purchase white willow bark extract standardized to
contain 15% salicin. Do not purchase white willow bark tea,
as you would need to consume several liters to get an effective dose.
To reduce pain and inflammation and lower a fever take one or two pills
three times a day, or as needed. Follow the instructions
given by your health care practitioner.
White willow bark is safe to use over the long term. It has a
very bitter taste, so the most convenient way to take it is in pill
form.
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