Willow Bark For A Painkiller?
Paulina Jenkins
Willow bark has a long history as an alternative medicine. It was recorded in ancient manuscripts of the Assyrian, the Egyptian and the Greek. The Egyptians used it to treat inflammation. The Greek physicians such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides and Galen used Willow bark to reduce fever and sooth lower back pain, inflamed joints and other pains. The Chinese used it to give relief pain and fever. The American natives used Willow bark to control sexual desire.
This native tree of southern and central Europe and central and western Asia is often known as Salix alba and White willow. It is best known as nature's aspirin. There is an active ingredient called salicylic acid in aspirin that gives relief to pain. Willow bark is also found to be rich in salicylic acid.
Willow bark is effective in alleviating pain caused by inflammation. The most common complaints are joint pain, back pain, rheumatism, gout and arthritis. It is used to reduce fever and eases headache, colds and flu symptoms. Willow bark can be beneficial for weight loss because it boosts metabolism. During the colonial days the Americans used this herb as a remedy for food poisoning, gout, fever and inflammation. It is also found to be useful for gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn, colic and sour stomach. Willow bark is an antiseptic and can be used to treat burns, wounds, cuts, sores, dandruff and tonsillitis.
Usually Willow bark is safe to take with few side effects. However, it is not advisable for pregnant and nursing women. It should also be avoided by those who have a reaction to aspirin. For patients who are going to undergo surgery Willow bark should not be taken two weeks before and after the procedure. There is the possibility that this herb may interfere with wound healing and bleeding disorder. Willow bark is found to interact with certain prescribed drugs.
Anyone that suffers from gastritis and ulcers should not use Willow bark. Do not give this herb to children with chickenpox, viral infection and fever. For those sufferers of liver or kidney conditions Willow bark is not recommended because it aggravates the problem. In addition, people who have blood clot disorders must also avoid taking this herb. Daily or long term use of Willow bark should not be undertaken. This could diminish sexual desire and cause damage to stomach, kidney and liver.
You can buy Willow bark as tablets, capsules, tea or tincture. The standard dosage to take is 400mg 3 times per day. To make an infusion boil 1000mg of Willow bark leaves in 250 ml of water for 10 minutes. Clinical studies found that some migraine sufferers get better results when they combine feverfew and Willow bark together.
Today for arthritis, fevers, inflammation, headaches, body pain and heart disease herbalists continue to use Willow bark as the preferred remedy. It is found by researchers to be more potent than aspirin. Willow bark contains more other active ingredients than that in aspirin. Willow bark is gentle to the stomach and has a longer lasting relief than aspirin.
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins has a blog with information on plants, herbs that are used as alternative medicine. http://www.alternativemedicineviews.blogspot.com/ Willow bark is a powerful herbal painkiller and http://www.alternativemedicineviews.blogspot.com/ Willow bark is more powerful than aspirin. Get your own completely http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=27283&b=79 unique content version of this article.
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