White willow bark

[Guest guest]

The same goes for Filipendula ulmaria, also a source of salycilic acid

 

Joel

 

 

JoAnn Guest wrote:

 

> White Willow Bark Extract

>

>

> White Willow Bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic

> acid and has the same effect on the body as aspirin without any of the

> side effects.

>

> In fact, White Willow Bark was the basis for the synthesis of aspirin.

> History of usage of White Willow Bark goes back as far as 500 BC when

> ancient Chinese healers began using it to control pain.

>

> Native Americans also discovered the value of the Willow tree for

> relieving pain from headaches and rheumatism and reducing fevers.

>

> The benefits of White Willow Bark today are that it is an

> anti-inflammatory, a fever reducer, an analgesic, an anti-rheumatic, and

> an astringent.

>

> Specifically, it helps to relieve headaches; helps to ease pain

> associated with inflammatory conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, and

> carpal tunnel syndrome; and helps to control fevers.

>

> Studies have shown that if you feel better, you are more likely to want

> to stick to your weight loss plan and because of that, White Willow Bark

> can aid in your diet goals.

>

> Take one to two capsules daily with water at mealtimes.

>

> There are no major side effects known at this time. However, due to the

> tannins in White Willow, some may develop stomach upset.

>

> Also, due to the chemical similarity to aspirin, avoid White Willow Bark

> if you have had a allergic reaction to aspirin.

[Guest guest]

It's claimed here, that White Willow Bark (and Filipendula ulmaria) have

" ...the same effect on the body as aspirin... " Do you mean that the same

results claimed for aspirin, are achieved with these herbs, such as

prevention of blood clots? Drug companies selling aspirin, are also

claiming various anti-cancer benefits, etc. You're not suggesting that the

herbs mentioned here, also have these additional effects, are you?

JP

-

" jkolling " <jkolling

 

Friday, May 28, 2004 10:48 PM

Re: White Willow Bark

 

 

>

>

> The same goes for Filipendula ulmaria, also a source of salycilic acid

>

> Joel

>

>

> JoAnn Guest wrote:

>

> > White Willow Bark Extract

> >

> >

> > White Willow Bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic

> > acid and has the same effect on the body as aspirin without any of the

> > side effects.

> >

> > In fact, White Willow Bark was the basis for the synthesis of aspirin.

> > History of usage of White Willow Bark goes back as far as 500 BC when

> > ancient Chinese healers began using it to control pain.

> >

> > Native Americans also discovered the value of the Willow tree for

> > relieving pain from headaches and rheumatism and reducing fevers.

> >

> > The benefits of White Willow Bark today are that it is an

> > anti-inflammatory, a fever reducer, an analgesic, an anti-rheumatic, and

> > an astringent.

> >

> > Specifically, it helps to relieve headaches; helps to ease pain

> > associated with inflammatory conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, and

> > carpal tunnel syndrome; and helps to control fevers.

> >

> > Studies have shown that if you feel better, you are more likely to want

> > to stick to your weight loss plan and because of that, White Willow Bark

> > can aid in your diet goals.

> >

> > Take one to two capsules daily with water at mealtimes.

> >

> > There are no major side effects known at this time. However, due to the

> > tannins in White Willow, some may develop stomach upset.

> >

> > Also, due to the chemical similarity to aspirin, avoid White Willow Bark

> > if you have had a allergic reaction to aspirin.

[Guest guest]

John Polifronio wrote:

 

> It's claimed here, that White Willow Bark (and Filipendula ulmaria) have

> " ...the same effect on the body as aspirin... " Do you mean that the same

> results claimed for aspirin, are achieved with these herbs, such as

> prevention of blood clots? Drug companies selling aspirin, are also

> claiming various anti-cancer benefits, etc. You're not suggesting that the

> herbs mentioned here, also have these additional effects, are you?

 

aspirin (i'm not sure if it's a brandname) is derived from the salycilic

acid which is found in these plants,

this was the old medicine, before pills and factories.

other than this; i couldn't tell you for sure, probably a lot more tests

would be necessary, and it seems that only pharmaceutical companies do

tests, or at least they are the ones that do it mainly. so it's a 'no go'.

it seems to be like this: the plant also contains other compounds, some

of which are suggested to even enhance this particular active compound,

and at the same time there appearently also are other compounds which

counteract any 'side effects' which could occur if using the purified

salycilic acid.

 

there are two cruxes here:

the active ingredient of the plant must be consumed in high enough

quantities (now often done through a process called 'standardization')

and two: if there are 'unpotentializing' compounds in herbs; that could

be a hindrance.

 

the downsides of pure pills are thus equally; that the effect is too

high (so it becomes more harmful (needs study also, yet i don't think

this will get much attention as it would then not be so sellable anymore

if all is known, probably)

And that there is nothing in it which would counter or diminish unwanted

'side effects'.

 

 

But yes, essentially, when you consider all of the above: they both,

essentially, do all the same thing, with the very exceptions (or

differences, if you will, though that is a too big a word in my opinion)

as noted above.

 

 

 

> JP

> -

> " jkolling " <jkolling

>

> Friday, May 28, 2004 10:48 PM

> Re: White Willow Bark

>

>

> >

> >

> > The same goes for Filipendula ulmaria, also a source of salycilic acid

> >

> > Joel

> >

> >

> > JoAnn Guest wrote:

> >

> > > White Willow Bark Extract

> > >

> > >

> > > White Willow Bark contains salicin, which the body converts to

> salicylic

> > > acid and has the same effect on the body as aspirin without any of the

> > > side effects.

> > >

> > > In fact, White Willow Bark was the basis for the synthesis of aspirin.

> > > History of usage of White Willow Bark goes back as far as 500 BC when

> > > ancient Chinese healers began using it to control pain.

> > >

> > > Native Americans also discovered the value of the Willow tree for

> > > relieving pain from headaches and rheumatism and reducing fevers.

> > >

> > > The benefits of White Willow Bark today are that it is an

> > > anti-inflammatory, a fever reducer, an analgesic, an

> anti-rheumatic, and

> > > an astringent.

> > >

> > > Specifically, it helps to relieve headaches; helps to ease pain

> > > associated with inflammatory conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, and

> > > carpal tunnel syndrome; and helps to control fevers.

> > >

> > > Studies have shown that if you feel better, you are more likely to want

> > > to stick to your weight loss plan and because of that, White Willow

> Bark

> > > can aid in your diet goals.

> > >

> > > Take one to two capsules daily with water at mealtimes.

> > >

> > > There are no major side effects known at this time. However, due to the

> > > tannins in White Willow, some may develop stomach upset.

> > >

> > > Also, due to the chemical similarity to aspirin, avoid White Willow

> Bark

> > > if you have had a allergic reaction to aspirin.

[Guest guest]

> It's claimed here, that White Willow Bark (and Filipendula ulmaria) have

> " ...the same effect on the body as aspirin... " Do you mean that the same

> results claimed for aspirin, are achieved with these herbs, such as

> prevention of blood clots? Drug companies selling aspirin, are also

> claiming various anti-cancer benefits, etc. You're not suggesting that the

> herbs mentioned here, also have these additional effects, are you?

 

in short: Yes. because it's the exact same thing in a different package

(aspirin = (pure) salycilic acid (with the addition of fillers and

solidifyers), salycilic acid = the main (active) ingredient of these

plants)

[Guest guest]

What is white willow bark?Other Names: Salix alba, white willow, willow

bark

 

White willow bark is a tree native to Europe and Asia. The name " white willow "

comes from the color of the leaves, which are covered with fine white hairs.

 

The use of white willow bark medicinally goes far back. Ancient Egyptians used

white willow for inflammation. The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about white

willow's medicinal uses in 5th century B.C.

 

In 1829, scientists in Europe identified what was believed to be the active

ingredient in white willow bark—a compound called salicin. Public demand grew

rapidly.

 

Extracting salicin from herbs was considered to be expensive and time-consuming,

so a synthetic salicylic acid version was developed in Germany in 1852 and

quickly became the treatment of choice (salicin is converted in the body to

salicylic acid).

 

The problem was that it was harder on the stomachAt therapeutic doses, people

using the synthetic salicyclic acid developed stomach ulcers and bleeding.

 

The German company Bayer eventually created a synthetic, less harsh derivative

of salicylic acid, called acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and mass-produced it under

the name aspirin. Despite this, aspirin is still known for irritating the

stomach lining.

 

Why do people use white willow bark?White willow bark is used for conditions

that cause pain, inflammation, or fever, such as:

Acute back pain

 

Fever

 

Flu

 

Joint pain

 

Osteoarthritis

 

Pain

People take white willow bark instead of aspirin because it does not appear to

be as irritating to the stomach lining. It may be because the salicin found

naturally in white willow bark is only converted to the acid form after it is

absorbed by the stomach.

 

Researchers have also suggested that white willow bark is more effective than

aspirin because of other active compounds that are found in the bark but not the

drug. Animal research at Cairo University compared a willow bark extract to ASA

and found that a willow bark extract was as effective as aspirin in reducing

inflammation, even though the salicin content was lower than an equivalent dose

of ASA.

 

What research has been done on white willow bark?

In a German study, the effectiveness of a willow bark extract providing 240

mg of salicin a day was compared to placebo in a 2-week randomized controlled

trial in 78 people with osteoarthritis. After two weeks, the willow bark

patients' pain scores were reduced by 14% compared to the placebo group, which

had a 2% increase in pain scores.

 

 

A randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Medicine

examined the use of 120 mg or 240 mg salicin or placebo in 210 patients with an

low back pain. In the fourth and final week of the study, 39% of the group

taking 240 mg salicin were pain-free for at least 5 days, compared to 21% in the

120 mg group and only 6% in the placebo group.

 

 

Two randomized controlled 6-week trials investigated the effectiveness and

safety of willow bark in 127 patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis and 26

patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In the osteoarthritis trial, patients

received either willow bark providing 240 mg of salicin a day, 100 mg a day of

the drug diclofenac, or a placebo. Patients in the rheumatoid arthritis trial

received either willow bark or a placebo. The results found that the drug

diclofenac was more effective than placebo in osteoarthritis patients but white

willow bark was not. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, willow bark wasn't found

to be more effective than placebo.

Common DosesStudies have used white willow bark extracts that provide 120 mg

to 240 mg of salicin per day.

 

SafetyBecause white willow bark contains salicylates, the same precautions as

aspirin should be taken until research has shown otherwise. The following people

should not take white willow bark:

People with an aspirin allergy or sensitivity. There has been a published

report of a 25 year old woman who was admitted to emergency with anaphylaxis

after taking 2 capsules of a weight loss supplement that contained willow bark.

The patient had a history of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid. No other possible

causes for anaphylaxis were identified in that patient.

 

People with peptic ulcer disease or kidney disease.

 

The herbs ginkgo, vitamin E, and garlic may increase the risk of bleeding if

combined with white willow.

 

People with hyperuricemia, gout, and asthma.

 

Children and teenagers, especially with flu-like symptoms, chicken pox, or

Reye's syndrome.

 

Pregnant or nursing women.

White willow bark should be avoided two weeks before or after surgery.

 

 

Side effectsThere have been few reported side effects. However, the same side

effects as aspirin may theoretically occur, especially at higher doses: ringing

in the ears, ulcers, stomach burning, pain, cramping, nausea, gastrointestinal

bleeding and liver toxicity, rash, dizziness, and kidney impairment.

 

Possible drug interactionsThis is a list of drugs that may interact with

willow.

 

Bismuth Subsalicylates: Bismuth subsalicylates (e.g. Pepto-Bismol®,

Bismatrol®, Maalox Total Stomach Relief®) are used to treat symptoms of

diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, acid indigestion, prevent traveler's diarrhea, and

treat ulcers. They should not be taken with white willow bark due to an

increased risk of salicylate toxicity.

 

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: e.g. Acetazolamide (e.g. Diamox®),

Dichlorphenamide, Methazolamide

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures,

fluid retention, and altitude sickness. These drugs should not be used with

white willow, which contains salicylates, due to an increased risk of salicylate

toxicity.

 

Cox-2 Selective Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) : e.g. Celecoxib

(Celebrex®), Valdecoxib(Bextra®)

Cox-2 Inhibitors are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, pain, fever,

and inflammation, dysmenorrhea, and colorectal polyps. No interactions with

white willow bark have been reported at the time of writing. However, until we

have further research on the safety of white willow bark, they should not be

combined because Cox-2 inhibitors are not recommended with aspirin due to an

increased risk of stomach ulcers.

 

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS): e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen(e.g.

Motrin®, Advil®) Naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®), Diclofenac (Voltaren®),

Indomethacin (Indocin®), Etodolac (Lodine®), Ketorolac (Toradol®), Piroxicam

(Feldene®), Sulindac (Clinoril®), Nabumetone (Relafen®), (e.g. Amigesic®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with white willow bark may

increase the risk of stomach ulcers.

 

Metoclopramide: Metoclopramide (e.g. Reglan®) is used to reduce nausea and

vomiting and reduce symptoms of esophagitis and stomach swelling in people with

diabetes. Because it can increase the absorption of aspirin, it might also

increase the absorption of white willow bark.

 

Methotrexate: Methotrexate (e.g. Rheumatrex®) is used to treat some types of

cancer, to treat severe psoriasis, and to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Because it is not recommended that people combine methotrexate and aspirin

(which also contains salicylates), the drug should not be taken with white

willow.

 

Platelet Inhibitors: e.g. Ticlopidine (Ticlid®), Clopidogrel (Plavix®)

Platelet inhibitors are used to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke and

for patients who have had a coronary stent implant. Like aspirin, white willow

contains salicylates which may thin blood, so it can increase the risk of

bleeding.

 

Anticoagulants: e.g. Warfarin (Coumadin®)

White willow bark contains salicylates and should not be combined with

anticoagulants. They may increase the risk of bleeding or cause spontaneous

bleeding.

 

Source: Griffith, H. Winter. Complete Guide to Prescription and

Nonprescription Drugs 2006 Edition. New York: Perigree, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

Angie (ontario canada zone 5)

The love of gardening is a seed once planted

and germinated; can never be destroyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Angie,

 

I was about to ask you if it had to be

some special willow.

Darcy Williamson, author of Healing Plants

of the Rocky Mountains, uses any kind of

local willow.

 

Another thing to collect!

For some weird reason I feel compelled

to collect and process as many healing herbs

as I can lay my hands on.

Around here, that is LOTS. Part planted, part

wild.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://profiles./free_green_living