Willow bark 
                                                                                                                     Willow Herb flowers.

                                   WHERE DOES WILLOW BARK COME FROM?
             There are various types of willow.  The most common willow bark comes from the white willow
                  tree (Salix alba) which grows in North America, Asia, and Europe.  It is available on the market
                  as dried bark to make tea, and in tinctures ( in alcohol), glycerine, and capsules.

                                    WHAT IS WILLOW BARK USED FOR?
              Traditionally willow bark was used as a treatment for all types of pain such as arthritis,
                   headache, backache, toothache, and menstrual cramps.   Because some people believe it is a
                   blood thinner, it has also been used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
 

                                          WHAT IS THE ACTIVE DRUG IN WILLOW BARK?
               The active drug found in willow bark is salicin, which acts in similar to aspirin.  The chemical
                    structure of salicin is:
                                                                    
 

                                    WHAT HAVE STUDIES SHOWN?
             Willow bark has been proven to reduce pain. Because the concentration of salicin in willow bark
                  is so small, it would take several quarts of  the herbal tea to equal a daily dose of aspirin.  Tests
                  have also shown that salicin is not a blood thinner, and therefore will not prevent heart attacks or
                  strokes.

                                            WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF WILLOW BARK?
                 Some immediate side effects include allergic reaction in the form of itching or hives, and an upset
                  stomach.  Because willow bark contains chemicals called tannins, long term use can result in liver and
                  kidney damage.

                                            WILL IT INTERFERE WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS OR MEDICAL
                                                              CONDITIONS?
                Willow bark should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing.  Children who have the flu
                  or chicken pox should not take willow bark because it may cause Reye's syndrome.  People who have
                  bleeding, liver, or kidney problems, ulcers, asthma, or diabetes should refrain from taking willow
                  bark or products with willow bark in them.  Those who are allergic to aspirin or are taking any other
                  NSAIDs (non-steroidal anit-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, should stay away from the herb.

                                              WHAT ARE TYPICAL DOSAGES?
                Dosage information represents commonly used practices; it is not a recommendation.  Doses are
                 given for single herb use and must be adjusted when used in combination with other drugs or herbs
                 or due to the severity of the condition being treated.

                Tincture or glycerin: 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of bark per cup of water, boiled for five minutes
                                                   Taken three to five times daily
                Liquid extract: 1-3 ml three times daily
                Capsules: Two to three 379 mg capsules taken every 3-6 hr.
                Topically: Infused in vegetable oil and rubbed over painful joints or muscles as needed

                                             WHAT IS IMPORTANT  TO KNOW ABOUT WILLOW BARK?
                This natural medicinal herb contains a substance called salicin. It has been used as a natural cure to
                  help break fevers, alleviate headaches, and reduce pain and swelling in joints.  Willow bark tea is
                  very bitter.  Herbal products may contain chemicals or other species of plants that are not listed on
                  the label.  Herbs can cause unwanted reactions between other herbs or medications.  Many herbal
                  remedies containing willow bark claim that it is aspirin free, however salicin, the active ingredient,
                  converts to aspirin while in the body.  This could cause problems for people who are allergic to
                  aspirin.  Tannins, another active chemical found in willow bark, is also present in foods such as sorrel
                  and rhubarb.  Commonly used as topical treatments for poison ivy, they have also been used internally
                  to treat diarrhea and inflamed mucus membranes.  This could be dangerous, however.  Because willow
                  bark contains between 8 and 20% tannins (above 10% can be harmful), a higher concentration
                  than in most other plants, there is an increased risk of adverse effects including upset stomach, nausea,
                  renal damage, and esophageal and nasal cancer with long term use.
 

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