Willow Bark For A Painkiller?

By: 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.

Willow bark is also known by the names of Salix alba and White willow. This tree is a native of southern and central Europe, and central and western Asia. It is often called nature's aspirin. Aspirin contains an active ingredient called salicylic acid to give pain relief. Willow bark is also found to be rich in this same component.

Willow bark is effective in killing pain associated with of inflammation. Some of these are joint pain, back pain, rheumatism, gout and arthritis. It can give relief to headache, colds and flu and reduce fever. Willow bark can help with weight loss by boosting metabolism. Americans of the colonial days used Willow bark as a treatment for food poisoning, gout, fever and inflammation. It gives relief to heartburn, colic, sour stomach and other gastrointestinal disorders. This herb is an antiseptic and excellent for burns, wounds, cuts, sores, dandruff and tonsillitis.

Willow bark is usually safe and well tolerated. It is not a recommended herb for pregnant and nursing women. If you are allergic to aspirin, avoid using Willow bark. It must not be taken by people who are undergoing operation two weeks before and after the surgery. Willow bark may cause complications with wound healing and bleeding disorder. This herb is known to interact with some medications.

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.

Willow bark is available as tablets, capsules, tea or tincture. The standard dosage is 400mg 3 times daily. You can make a tea by pouring 250 ml of boiling water over 1000mg of Willow bark leaves. Then let it steep for at least 5 minutes before drinking. Clinical studies have found that for a minority of migraine sufferers, using feverfew and Willow bark together produce better results.

Willow bark remains a favourite remedy by herbalists for arthritis, fevers, inflammation, headaches, body pain and heart disease. Researches have confirmed that it produces better result than aspirin. There are other active ingredients found in Willow bark that are not contained in aspirin. It also shows a longer lasting relief than aspirin and does not cause any stomach upset.

Article Source: http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com

About the Author: Paulina Jenkins has a blog with information on plants, herbs that are used as alternative medicine. Willow bark kills pain and reduces fever and Willow bark is more powerful than aspirin.

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