White
willow or Salix alba is a species of willow, which is native to Central America and southern Europe, and Central and West Asia. This is a medium to large deciduous
tree that can reach a height of about 75 feet. White willow name given to the
tree, due to the fact that the undersides of the leaves white seems to be due
to the presence of silk white hair. The leaves and bark of white willow are
used for medicinal purposes. The white willow bark is known to work like
aspirin to relieve pain and muscle aches.
Its use
for medical purposes is a fairly old practice. It was used by ancient Egyptians
to reduce inflammation. The Greek physician Hippocrates on the effectiveness of
bitter powder extracted from willow will bark to relieve pain and reduce fever
mentioned. The main active ingredient is found in willow bark
"salicin" which was isolated in 1828 by French pharmacist Henri
Leroux and the Italian chemist Raffaele Piria. Salicin may be salicylic acid,
which can be used to treat pain and fever are converted.
Our body
can also convert "salicin" to salicylic acid. The white willow bark
works just like aspirin. In fact, research has shown that this is more
effective than aspirin, because of the presence of certain compounds, except
salicin. Today it is used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and
antirheumatic. It is most commonly caused for fever, headache, flu, back pain
and pain caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and
carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also reduce inflammation of joints and tendons.
Like aspirin, it can dilute the blood, causing the formation of blood clots in
the arteries. This in turn may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
White
Willow Bark hazards
It can be
used instead of aspirin to some serious side effects with aspirin to prevent
irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract. However, it should be used with
proper care, such as aspirin, and one should strictly follow certain guidelines
regarding its use. Although it is gentler on the stomach, its long-term use can
produce many side effects associated with aspirin. People allergic to aspirin
or salicylates sensitive should avoid this special herbal extract. Some of the
most common side effects include stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding
sometimes excited.
Starting
from the extract excessive amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
and cramping. Like aspirin, it can extract also cause tinnitus or a sensation
of ringing in the ear, which usually resolves when the use of this drug is
discontinued. Some other side effects include irritation of the digestive
tract, headache, dizziness, liver toxicity and damage to rare kidney or
kidneys. Kidney damage can be manifested with fever, profuse sweating, nausea
and vomiting, dizziness, pain in the back or flank area, difficulty in
urination may increase heart rate and abdominal pain. In addition, an allergic
reaction in some people, the cause itching, swelling and difficulty breathing.
Children
under 16 should not be given to the herbal extract of White Willow Bark. Like
aspirin, the drug may increase the risk of developing herbal Reye's syndrome.
It is a blood thinner, for it is not for people taking anticoagulants such as
warfarin medication is recommended. Even people with diabetes, asthma,
hemophilia, stomach ulcers, gastritis, liver and kidney diseases, and human,
anti-epileptics and potassium-sparing diuretics should not take do to avoid
this herbal extract to serious side effects. Its security is not established in
pregnant and lactating women, for they keep more of it.
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