Willow Bark To Replace Aspirin?
Posted: Saturday, January 12, 2008
by Paulina Jenkins
http://www.alternativemedicineviews.blogspot.com
Willow bark has been used as an alternative medicine since ancient times. It was used by the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Greeks. To the Egyptians it was a treatment for inflammation. In Greece physicians such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides and Galen used this herb as a remedy for fever, lower back pain, inflamed joints and other pains. The Chinese used Willow bark to ease pain and reduce fever. The natives of America used it for sexual desire control.
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.
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.
Sufferers of gastritis and ulcers should avoid using Willow bark. For those who have any liver or kidney conditions Willow bark will aggravate the problem. This herb is not recommended for people with blood clot disorders. Children with chickenpox, viral infection and fever must also not be given this herb. Continual or long term use of Willow bark is not advisable. This could affect sexual desire and damage stomach, kidney and liver.
Willow bark comes in the form of tablets, capsules, tea or tincture. 400mg 3 times daily is the standard dosage. A tea can be made by pouring 250 ml of boiling water over 1000mg of Willow bark leaves and let steep. Results from clinical studies have found that combining feverfew and Willow bark produce better effect for a minority of migraine sufferers.
Today herbalists continue to use Willow bark as a remedy for arthritis, fevers, inflammation, headaches, body pain and heart disease. Researchers believed it is more powerful than aspirin. Willow bark contains other active ingredients not found in aspirin. It is also proven to have a longer lasting relief than aspirin and more gentle to the stomach.
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins has a blog with information on plants, herbs that are used as alternative medicine. Willow bark is a powerful herbal painkiller and Willow bark is more powerful than aspirin.
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