| White
Willow Bark In
ancient Egypt, white willow bark was used to reduce pain and
inflammation. Greek philosophers Hippocrates and Dioscorides
touted willow bark as a remedy for rheumatic joint diseases
and gout. During the Middle Age, white willow bark lost its
popularity in Europe. Today, the bark is adaptable to diverse
climates. It may be cultivated in the Amazon to the state of
Maine.
Amongst Native Indian
healers, the herb was noted for its analgesic properties. In
the mid 1700s, the therapeutic value of the bark was rediscovered
and used to relieve the following ailments:
Back pain
Headache
Menstrual cramps
Rheumatic pain
sore throat
Toothache
Upper respiratory tract infections
In the 1890 willow
bark was replaced with the development of synthetic acetylsalicylic
acid. As a result, scientific studies have not evaluated the
efficacy of the analgesic and antipyretic. Willow bark has not
been assessed for the treatment in preventing myocardial infarctions,
strokes or colorectal cancer. Over the centuries, herbalists
have continued to recommend white willow bark extracts as the
better substitution of aspirin.
Verisimilar to birch,
white willow is a native of Europe, North America and Asia.
In its appearance, the outer surface of the bark might vary
in color. White willow bark may have the tones of brownish-gray
to yellowish-green. While the inner surface of the bark is white
to a pallid yellow or even sienna brown, it garners an ultra
level texture to faint longitudinal striations. During the early
part of Spring, the branches aged two to three years old are
generally harvested.
Even the popular
weight loss product Thermadrol contains white willow bark! |
