Willow Bark

The bark of numerous types of the genus Salix, the willow tree. This bark is the source of salicylic acid, the active concept in aspirin. [1]

Hippocrates and willow bark? What you understand about the history of aspirin is probably wrong

Aspirin is among the most commonly used drugs on the planet. Its main ingredient comes from a natural item, salicin, found in plants such as willow and myrtle.

Aspirin is also a good example of how myths develop around ancient medications.

Its origins have actually been closely linked with Hippocrates, the famous ancient Greek physician and so-called father of medication. He’s stated to have actually utilized willow for discomfort relief, motivating the development of aspirin centuries later on.

However his works hardly mention willow. So why do we still think the misconception?

What’s all this about willow?

Virtually every history of aspirin tells you Hippocrates prescribed willow to females in labour. Some state he prescribed willow leaf tea. Others say he told them to chew willow bark.

However when we look at what Hippocrates actually wrote, there is simply one reference to burning willow leaves to make smoke for “fumigating” the uterus to get rid of a miscarried pregnancy.

This is practically the only referral to willow– ιτεα or itea– as a drug in these writings.

Could willow in fact eliminate discomfort?

Willow bark and leaves were utilized in some ancient medicines. Nevertheless, these were frequently utilized externally, rather than swallowed. Since ancient weights and measures are confusing– and in some cases missing completely in recipes– it’s difficult to tell whether there was enough salicin in an ancient recipe to make a distinction.

The bark of white willow (Salix alba), which Hippocrates may have been talking about, does not contain much salicin, compared to other willows and salicin-rich plants like the myrtle tree.

A medically efficient dose of 60– 120mg of salicin would be very tough to get from just chewing white willow bark or drinking willow tea.

White willow likewise contains poisonous, bitter-tasting tannins. These would make it difficult to consume sufficient bark or tea to reach that dosage, and would cause stomach pain long before you arrived.

Natural salicin is more plentiful in other ancient plants, such as the myrtle tree. But even then you would still most likely give yourself an awful stomach ache after consuming enough of the plant to relieve discomfort.

Dioscorides was an ancient Roman who composed a guidebook of medicines, still in print today. He described willow as a solution for stomach ache, the respiratory illness tuberculosis, and as a contraceptive.

He said if you burned willow bark, soaked it in vinegar, then rubbed it on corns and calluses, it would remove them. He likewise recommended a hot pack containing willow leaves for gout (which we understand now as a kind of arthritis).

Celsus, another Roman medical author, said warm willow packs or poultices would treat a prolapse of the womb or bowel (where the organ literally falls out of the body). Celsus advised to push it back in, and then bandage the warm dressing on the outside.

Salicin is used today to deal with corns and warts. However this does not imply Dioscorides’ dish worked because of the salicin. Vinegar is acidic and is said to soften corns by itself. Using any type of warm pack will also ease pain.

If willow bark and leaves were handy and potent painkillers, we would have utilized them almost to extinction by now. Instead, by early modern times in Europe, willow was thought about largely worthless as a medication.

This does not suggest willow was actually ineffective. It still included salicin, however this hadn’t yet been separated or fine-tuned into its contemporary form.

So, if it wasn’t Hippocrates, who was it?

It was English cleric Reverend Edward Stone who “found” willow.

In around 1757, Stone chewed on white willow bark out of curiosity and was struck by how bitter it was. He wondered whether it could be used medicinally, like the bitter cinchona bark (where the malaria drug quinine comes from).

Stone gathered and dried around half a kilogram of willow bark, then ground it to powder, before taking little doses every 4 hours to lower his fever. Drying the bark would have focused the salicin, making its effect stronger.

When the powder appeared to ease his fever, Stone tried it on his parishioners when they were sick. In 1763, he wrote to the Royal Society, reporting it worked.

How did a plant extract become aspirin?

Italian scientists Brugnatelli and Fontana managed to extract salicin from willow bark in 1826. Then German pharmacologist Johann Andreas Buchner developed the name “salicin” in 1828 from the Latin word for willow, salix.

Felix Hoffmann, a scientist at the German company now known as Bayer, chemically customized the related particle salicylic acid, which was ultimately called aspirin. The company patented the name in 1899.

Today aspirin is utilized for discomfort relief, lowering swelling, lowering body temperature and avoiding embolism.

Why do we keep repeating the willow misconception?

Scientist keep repeating the myth that ancient individuals understood the link in between willow and salicin for pain relief, partly because everybody loves an impressive tale. And the story of aspirin can be turned into one, with a bit of creativity. However it’s a great tip to look at initial texts if you can.

It’s likewise an example of how confirmation predisposition works. We know salicin remains in willow, and salicin alleviates pain. So when we find ancient references to willow, we think ancient individuals found salicin prior to us.

Modern medicine likes a respectable ancestral tree. It helps offer today’s made products a good pedigree. It also assists us consider these products as safe, beneficial and part of a long recovery tradition.

But the “ancient” history of aspirin has a lot of holes in it. So next time you pop an aspirin, thank Hoffmann instead of Hippocrates. [2]

Plant Description

Willow is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree that grows about 10– 30 m high with a trunk approximately 1 m diameter and an irregular, often-leaning crown. The plant is discovered growing on the margins of lakes and rivers where it may mainly have been planted. It will likewise grow by ponds, streams, wet hollows and ditches. Typically the plant prefers cool and wet soil. The bark is grey-brown, and deeply fissured in older trees. The shoots in the normal types are grey-brown to green-brown.

Leaves

Leaves are paler than a lot of other willows, due to a covering of really great, smooth white hairs, in particular on the underside. They are 5– 10 cm long and 0.5– 1.5 cm wide, deciduous, alternate, and commonly lengthened and serrated or smooth. Lengthened leaves are green on the upper side and whitish on the bottom side. Color of the leaves might modifications seasonally. Leaves turn from green to yellow in the fall.

Flower & Fruit

This is a dioecious types, with blooming catkins appearing on different male and female trees in May. Male catkins 4– 5 cm long are rather snazzy, having small flowers with yellow-colored anthers and 2 stamens. Female catkins are smaller sized about 3– 4 cm long and non-showy, with greenish flowers. When fully grown in midsummer, the female catkins comprise many small (4 mm) pills, each consisting of many minute seeds surrounded in white down, which assists wind dispersal. Willow trees are related to mysticism and superstition. According to the legend, witches crafted brooms using the branches of the willow tree.

Ranges

A variety of cultivars and hybrids have actually been picked for forestry and horticultural usage:.

1. Salix Alba ‘Caerulea’ (cricket-bat willow)

Salix Alba ‘Caerulea’ (cricket-bat willow) is grown as a specialist lumber crop in Britain, mostly for the production of cricket bats, and for other uses where a hard, light-weight wood that does not piece quickly is required. It is differentiated mainly by its development kind, extremely fast-growing with a single straight stem, and also by its a little larger leaves (10– 11 cm long, 1.5– 2 cm wide) with a more blue-green color. Its origin is unknown; it might be a hybrid between white willow and crack willow, however this is not validated.

2. Salix Alba ‘Vitellina’ (golden willow)

Salix Alba ‘Vitellina’ (golden willow) is a cultivar grown in gardens for its shoots, which are golden-yellow for one to two years prior to turning brown. It is generally decorative in winter season; the best impact is attained by coppicing it every two to three years to encourage the production of longer young shoots with better color. Other similar cultivars include ‘Britzensis’, ‘Cardinal’, and ‘Chermesina’, chosen for even brighter orange-red shoots.

3. Salix Alba ‘Sericea’ (silver willow)

Salix Alba ‘Sericea’ (silver willow) is a cultivar where the white hairs on the leaves are particularly thick, giving it more highly silvery-white foliage. This cultivar has actually extended the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Benefit.

4, Salix Alba ‘Vitellina-Tristis’ (golden weeping willow)

Salix Alba ‘Vitellina-Tristis’ (golden weeping willow) is a weeping cultivar with yellow branches that end up being reddish-orange in winter season. It is now uncommon in cultivation and has been mainly replaced by Salix sepulchralis group ‘Chrysocoma’. It is, however, still the very best option in extremely cold parts of the world, such as Canada, the northern United States, and Russia.

The golden hybrid weeping willow (Salix sepulchralis group ‘Chrysocoma’) is a hybrid in between white willow and Peking willow Salix babylonica.

Health Advantages of Willow Bark

White willow bark, the bark gotten from the white willow tree has been utilized for centuries as a natural solution for the treatment of fever and also for reducing pain. Bark consists of an active ingredient called salicin, which is transformed to salicylic acid by the body. White willow bark has several advantages and there are clinical proofs to support this reality, which is why it has actually ended up being a very popular and relied on alternative remedy for numerous health problems. Here are some of the essential advantages of using willow bark.

1. Eliminates Discomfort

Due to its rich blend of anti-oxidants and natural substances, willow bark functions as a very successful analgesia. For thousands of years, it has been traditionally used to eliminate pain from injuries and disease, with great success. In fact, more than 2,500 years back, the earliest recorded use of an herb was of willow bark, in Chinese standard medication. Although it was stated in older texts going back to the Egyptians, this was the first recognized use of willow bark for pain relief!

2. Anti-inflammatory Residences

Inflammation handles several types within our body. If you are seeking to remove the inflammation in your respiratory systems, intestinal system, or joints, then willow bark can rapidly soothe your symptoms. If you prepare a preparation or a tea of this bark, you will feel the inflammation and topical discomfort from arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, gout, and other conditions vanish.

3. Decreases Risks of Cancer

White willow includes good quantity of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory homes that helps to lower the risks of cancer. Given that it acts as an antioxidant, white willow has proven its advantage to secure versus viruses and germs in the body. Likewise, it enhances body immune system. Not just for that, the anti-inflammatory residential or commercial properties consisted of in white willow aid to reduce inflammation which happens due to the bad ecological exposure and toxic substances. For this reason, as the anti-inflammatory homes also prevent free radicals, hence it is beneficial to avoid the threats of cancer as well.

4. Soothes Stomach Disorders

High content of tannins help soothe the stomach and avoid intestinal distress throughout other diseases or durations of a weakened body immune system. While willow bark can be slow-acting, its impacts can be long-lasting, making it an efficient herbal solution to periodically add to your health program, but it ought to not be taken in daily unless advised by a physician or qualified herbalist.

5. Removes Migraines

If you struggle with chronic headaches and migraines, you might be able to benefit suggestively from the pain-relieving qualities of willow bark. It can help remove migraines by decreasing the blood pressure in the little blood vessels and capillary in the head, alleviating pressure and relieving those agonizing, devastating symptoms. It can likewise be used as a preventative method for regular headaches.

6. Eliminates Toothache

Toothache is so frustrating; for this reason you need to discover the best treatment and prevention. Swishing white willow bark tea prior to going to sleep is rather beneficial to get relieve from toothache. You can chew on a white willow bark regularly to deal with the tooth pain. Certainly, as white willow bark has the analgesic properties, it is beneficial to be a natural treatment for a toothache.

7. Minimizes Fever

Anti-inflammatory homes of willow bark are rather useful for decrease of fevers. Fevers are a sign of an infection in the body, however lowering a fever or “breaking” it is very important to speed up the healing process and get the organ systems working normally again. It has been used to treat fevers for countless years.

8. Relieves Menstruation

For lots of women who suffer from unusually heavy periods or severe menstrual symptoms, taking a small glass of willow bark can do marvels for whatever from duration pains and constraining to state of mind swings and unneeded tension hormones in the body. Its relaxing attributes are especially excellent in these circumstances, as they can help to re-balance hormones in a female’s body.

9. Weight Reduction Efforts

Many people turn to willow bark to boost weight reduction efforts, since the herb combines so well with other fat-burning and metabolism-boosting compounds. It can reinforce the results of these herbs in a healthy method, therefore increasing their efficacy and enhancing your outcomes even further.

10. Treats Pain In The Back

White willow is supposed as an effective treatment for pain in the back. As described before, white willow is a really terrific plant to assist in easing the pain triggered by the presence of salicin. For that reason, if you suffer from pain in the back, it is suggested to take in white willow bark frequently to assist with this sort of illness. And, do not forget to take a rest, charming people!

11. Skin Care

The look of the skin is very essential for us. High material of antioxidant compounds found in willow bark have a major influence on the health of the skin. Whether used topically or taken in, willow bark assists to increase blood flow to the skin due to its anti-oxidants, while likewise decreasing the look of wrinkles and age marks. Additionally, it can remove swelling in the skin and reduce the discomfort of insect bites and inflammation.

12. Keeps the Healthy Heart

Doing a healthy way of life together with consuming the very best foods is the perfect combination to preserve the healthy heart. You will get incredibly benefits by doing that kind of actions. If you consume white willow, then you assist yourself to minimize the dangers of internal clotting which is related with the heart problem including stroke and cardiac arrest. Additionally, it has actually shown that white willow bark consists of salicylates which have the very same result as aspirin to maintain the heart health.

13. Promotes Healthy Digestion

To preserve the excellent digestion system, you have to take in best foods which are abundant in fiber consisting of fruits and green vegetables. At this moment, taking in white willow will be such an excellent concept, too. Willow consists of excellent quantity of tannins which is important to calm the stomach and avoid gastrointestinal distress. Thus, what are you awaiting? Attempt to consume white willow to promote the body health.

14. Removes Warts

Willow includes good quantity of salicylic acid which has actually revealed a terrific lead to removing warts. Thus, if you want to eliminate warts thoroughly without cause much pain, then white willow is the ideal service for you. Indeed, not only to remove warts, you can have the clear skin by having white willow as the option.

15. Deals with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is among skin disorders which trigger the skin cells be multiplied approximately 10 times faster than normal. This disease typically occurs on certain body parts such as the knees, elbows, and scalp. Furthermore, the signs are numerous consisting of the presence of red skin plaques and plaques of scales or crust on the scalp.

As a result, one of the natural treatments for this skin disorder is to have white willow as the alternative. Hence, you can mix the willow bark with the oak and walnut leaves and then put the boiling water over them. After that, you drink it 3 times daily routinely to accelerate the recovery process.

16. Alleviate Sciatica Pain

White willow bark includes salicin and phenolic glycosides that assist in alleviating sciatica pain. These can give you anti-inflammatory and analgesic advantages. Individuals with sciatica pain ought to take a willow bark having 120 or 240 milligrams of salicin every day for several weeks. Nevertheless, remember to consult a doctor prior to using this bark.

17. Eliminates Acne

Everyone hates acne, does not it? As a result, lots of people attempt to get the clear and charm skin by having some beauty treatments. Yet, you can have the alternative one by using natural plants and fruits for the facial mask. Thus, white willow provides you the anti-inflammatory and soothing residential or commercial properties, and after that it works to be a natural exfoliant. For this reason, you will be as pleased as this type of plants helps to get rid of skin dead cells and help with skin renewal.

18. Promotes Appeal Skin

With the antioxidant properties, white willow takes part in promoting the appeal and healthy skin. White willow will help you to minimize the wrinkles and age marks as well as relieving the skin irritations.

19. Enhance Kidney Failure

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory & antiseptic results present in the white willow bark can help in improving the kidney failure and alleviate the discomfort. Moreover, its immune improving effects make your kidneys function much better. You can make a tea with the dried white willow bark and drink it 3 to 4 times daily for this purpose.

Conventional usages and advantages of Willow

• Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Senior citizen and others understood willow bark could alleviate aches and pains and decrease fevers.
• White willow and several closely related types have actually been used for thousands of years to ease joint discomfort and handle fevers.
• Bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative and tonic.
• It has been utilized internally in the treatment of dyspepsia gotten in touch with debility of the digestion organs, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory phases of auto-immune diseases, feverish diseases, neuralgia and headache.
• Its tonic and astringent homes render it useful in recovery from severe diseases, in dealing with worms, chronic dysentery and diarrhea.
• Fresh bark is utilized as an anodyne and febrifuge.
• Leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic.
• An infusion of the leaves has a soothing result and is practical in the treatment of anxious insomnia.
• When added to the bath water, the infusion is of real benefit in alleviating extensive rheumatism.
• It is suggested for Arthritis and bursitis.
• It eases the inflammation in the joints and the tendons.
• It provides relief from all type of body pains like headache, muscle ache, muscle cramps and back pains.
• It decreases tooth pain and irritated gums.
• It is beneficial for healing mouth ulcers and sores.
• It works when used on cuts, wounds and burns.
• Antiviral and antibacterial residential or commercial property of the herb helps to fight the infectious illness.
• It assists to decrease the body temperature level in fever.
• It is an exceptional herb for neuralgia, cardiovascular disorders and carpel tunnel syndrome.
• It reduces the unpleasant menses and boosts the blood flow.
• People chewed bark of the willow tree to treat fever, swelling and pain in the past.

Ayurvedic Health advantages of Willow

• Arthritis: Cut the bark of white willow. Boil it. Include ginger to activate willow bark. Drink two times a day.
• Bursitis: Take 2 grams of ground bark. Mix it in 8 ounces of water. Drain to 4-5 cups daily.
• Kidney diseases: Prepare a white Willow bark tea. Consume it thrice a day to get remedy for kidney pain.
• Frozen Shoulder: Boil white willow bark in water for 10 minutes. Pressure and consume this day-to-day.
• Bunion: Prepare a tea from the fresh leaves of white willow. Consume it two times a day. OR Prepare a paste of white willow bark. Apply it on bunions.
• Challenging Menses: Take half tbsp of white willow bark powder. Boil it in water for 5 to 10 minutes. Have this tea 2 times in a day. It relieves menstrual cramps and great for irregular periods.
• Obesity: Take Ephedra’s leaves and white willow bark in 1: 2 ratios. Make its preparation. Drink 5 ml of it once a day.

Culinary Uses

• Inner barks are raw or cooked.
• It can be dried, ground into a powder and added to cereal flour then utilized in making bread etc.
• . It is used as a scarcity food when all else stops working.
• Leaves and young shoots are consumed raw or cooked.
• The leaves can be used as a tea substitute. [3]

White Willow Bark vs. Ibuprofen: Which Is Much safer (and Why)?

Is white willow bark much safer than aspirin or ibuprofen? Due to the fact that it has a number of active compounds, including salicin, flavonoids and polyphenols, there’s some evidence that willow bark provides a more comprehensive system of action, while likewise being less likely to trigger serious side effects– including ibuprofen overdose.

Some people describe WWB as being like “natural aspirin.” Compared to synthetically made aspirin, WWB appears to pose less danger for damaging the intestinal lining (the mucosa).

Unlike aspirin, it likewise has no effect on blood clot when used in moderate doses, such as about 240 milligrams of extract.

People who have a recognized allergy to aspirin (” salicylate-sensitive individuals”) must not utilize items made with willow bark. If indications of a response take place, such as skin itching/hives or trouble breathing, a medical professional ought to be contacted right away. [4]

How It Functions

The glycoside salicin, from which the body can split off salicylic acid, is thought to be the source of the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions of willow. The analgesic actions of willow are normally sluggish to establish however may last longer than the impacts of standard aspirin items. One trial has found that a combination natural item consisting of 100 mg willow bark taken for two months improved operating by means of discomfort relief in individuals with osteoarthritis.4 Another trial found that 1360 mg of willow bark extract daily (delivering 240 mg of salicin) for 2 weeks was somewhat reliable in treating discomfort connected with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. Use of high quantities of willow bark extract may likewise assist individuals with low pain in the back. One four-week trial found 240 mg of salicin from a willow extract worked in lowering exacerbations of low pain in the back. [5]

Willow Bark Dish

White Willow Bark Tea Ingredients:

• 1-3 gm dried and chopped white willow bark
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Ginger – to taste
• 2 cups water

Technique:

1. In a pan, take water, add white willow bark to it and bring it to boil.
2. To the boiling preparation, add ginger and let it boil for some more time.
3. When the water changes to red color, stress it off in a cup.
4. Include fresh lemon juice and honey to it.
5. Consume it hot.

Tip: You can even add a piece of cinnamon to boost its flavor. [6]

Is it safe?

You ought to use willow bark with caution if you have gastrointestinal and liver issues or diabetes. Like aspirin, you should likewise take care if you take anticoagulants, acetazolamide, anti-hypertensives and anti-inflammatory drugs because willow bark engages with these drugs. [7]
When taken by mouth: Willow bark is perhaps safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It may cause diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting in some people. It can also trigger itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in individuals who are allergic to aspirin. [8]

Are there interactions with medications?

Major

Do not take this mix.

Medications that slow blood clot (Anticoagulant/ Antiplatelet drugs)

Willow bark may slow blood clot. Taking willow bark together with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Moderate

Beware with this mix.

Acetazolamide

Willow bark consists of chemicals that might increase the amount of acetazolamide in the blood. Taking willow bark in addition to acetazolamide might increase the impacts and side effects of acetazolamide.

Aspirin

Willow bark contains chemicals similar to aspirin. Taking willow bark together with aspirin might increase the impacts and side effects of aspirin.

Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (Trilisate)

Willow bark contains chemicals that resemble choline magnesium trisalicylate. Taking willow bark along with choline magnesium trisalicylate may increase the impacts and adverse effects of choline magnesium trisalicylate.

Salsalate (Disalcid)

Salsalate is a type of medicine called a salicylate. It’s similar to aspirin. Willow bark likewise includes a salicylate comparable to aspirin. Taking salsalate along with willow bark might increase the effects and side effects of salsalate.

Exist interactions with herbs and supplements?

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting.

Willow bark might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with comparable effects might increase the danger of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this result include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

Herbs that contain chemicals similar to aspirin (salicylates)

Willow bark includes chemicals called salicylates. Salicylates are similar to aspirin. Taking it with other supplements that contain salicylates may increase their effects and adverse effects. Examples of supplements that contain salicylates include aspen, black haw, poplar, and meadowsweet.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods. [9]

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Constantly contact your physician before you utilize a natural product. Some products might not blend well with drugs or other natural items.
• This product might hinder some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your medical professional about this and all drugs you are taking.
• This item hinders lots of drugs. It decreases the effectiveness of lots of drugs. It increases adverse effects of some drugs. Talk with your doctor before you start using this product.
• Make certain to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are set up for surgery or tests.
• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or strategy to become pregnant quickly. Use birth control you can trust while taking this item.
• Do not utilize this product if you are breastfeeding.
• Avoid beer, red wine, and cocktails (alcohol) while taking this product.
• Do not take this item if you are allergic to aspirin.
• Do not give this product to kids or teens with the flu or other viral infections.
• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or enoxaparin (Lovenox).
• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve embolism. These are drugs like alteplase (Activase), reteplase (Retavase), or streptokinase.
• Take additional care if you are taking drugs to aid with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Naprosyn).

Take extra care and consult your medical professional if you have:

• Kidney issues
• Liver issues
• Bleeding problems
• Stomach ulcers
• Gout
• Asthma
• Diabetes

Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar level, especially if you have blood sugar problems. [10]

Types and dose of willow bark

Capsules

Willow bark can be purchased from numerous drugstores and nearly any natural food store in a powdered, encapsulated type. The suggested dosage for discomfort relief is 240 milligrams a day.

Bark

The active ingredient in willow bark is salicin, but the accompanying flavonoids and plant particles might be part of what make willow bark effective. For this reason, some people prefer to really chew on the unprocessed bark of the willow tree. It is challenging to figure out just how much salicin you are receiving from each piece of bark, so this approach of consumption should be approached with caution.

Liquid

Willow bark can also be discovered in a distilled cast form. Taking a drop or 2 each day for discomfort relief (as much as 2 milliliters) can work as an anti-inflammatory and discomfort relief replacement for aspirin.

Tea

Some health food stores offer willow bark tea, promoting it as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. Steep willow bark tea for 2 to 3 minutes in hot water. When consuming willow bark in this type, it’s difficult to inform how much salicin you are getting in each serving of tea.

Topical

Willow bark can be used topically. Since it isn’t taken in digestively, topical willow bark is an excellent option for those who frequently experience stomach ulcers. However, topical usage can be harsh and trigger skin irritation.

Present research study

Even though it is used widely, really couple of clinical trials have actually been done to verify the efficiency of willow bark. Preliminary studies do show that there are some health benefits, and that particular types of willow consist of higher concentrations of salicin and flavonoids than others.

In the studies that have actually been done, the dangers and negative effects seem fairly minimal. And there are centuries of research study and use of aspirin, which gets its active component from willow bark.

Conclusion

Willow bark has actually been revealed to assist ease some moderate pains. However more research study is needed to fully comprehend how it differs from aspirin. While it might be an effective alternative to aspirin for some, speak to your doctor before choosing to take willow bark. [11]

References

1. Https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/willow+bark
2. Https://theconversation.com/hippocrates-and-willow-bark-what-you-know-about-the-history-of-aspirin-is-probably-wrong-148087
3. Https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/willow/
4. Https://draxe.com/nutrition/white-willow-bark/#White_Willow_Bark_vs_Ibuprofen_Which_Is_Safer_and_Why
5. Https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?Docid=hn-2182009#hn-2182009-how-it-works
6. Https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/health-benefits-of-willow-bark.htm
7. Https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/willow-bark/
8. Https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-955/willow-bark
9. Https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/955.html
10. Https://www.drugs.com/npc/willow-bark.html
11. Https://www.healthline.com/health/willow-bark-natures-aspirin#research