works like natural aspirin, his anti-inflammatory properties Willow Bark

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Willow Bark is also known by the names White Willow, Black Willow, and Crack

Willow. The Willow tree is indigenous to Europe and Yugoslavia. The genus

name Salix comes from the Celtic word " sal lis " , meaning " near water " . Years

ago, when a reverend Store noticed that Willow grew in marshy areas

where rheumatism was so common, he decided to make a tea for sufferers that was

helpful. The species names alba and nigra mean white and black, respectively.

An ancient custom is to make a wish while tying a knot in a Willow branch -

untie the knot when the wish is received. The bark of the common Willow tree

has been known since antiquity for its pain-relieving and fever-reducing

properties. In the early 19th century, a French chemist extracted the principal

active ingredient from Willow Bark, and named it salicin. At the end of the

century, Felix Hofmann, a chemist at the Bayer company in Germany, developed

the world's most used medication - aspirin, or acetyl-salicylic acid. Willow,

along with the herb Meadowsweet, is well known as the original source of

salicylic acid (the precursor to original aspirin). Recently, pain sufferers

are

returning to the natural sources of salicin to avoid the potentially

dangerous side effects of synthetic aspirin. The primary chemical constituents

of

White Willow Bark include glycosides (salicin, salicoside), salicortine,

tannin, catechin, and flavonoids. Female Willow buds contain phytoestrogens.

Salicylic acid is a weak anti-inflammatory agent, but is converted by the liver

to

acetyl-salicylic acid. The acetylated version has aspirin's more effective

anti-inflammatory activity without its gastrointestinal toxicity. The

salicylates inhibit the activity of the cyclo-oxgenase enzymes, and thus inhibit

the

production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory molecules. The excretion

of salicylic acid in the urine helps soothe an irritated urinary tract.

Willow Bark has long been used for fevers and inflammations. In addition, the

astringency of the glycosides makes Willow Bark useful as an antiseptic and

astringent. Extracts and infusions of the bark have been used for cleansing the

scalp and skin, for treating dandruff, and for treating corns and growths. As a

flower essence, this herb reduces bitterness and resentment, and helps those

who tend to blame others. Only Black Willow is an anaphrodisiac, while all

species are a mild antiseptic. Known topical applications of White Willow Bark

include its use as a mouthwash for sore gums, gargle for tonsillitis, hair

rinse for dandruff, compress & poultice for burns, insect bites & wounds, and

foot soak for sweaty feet. Willow is also an excellent material for making

baskets and dowsing rods. The common name Willow includes the species Salix

nigra (Black Willow), Salix fragilis, (Crack Willow) and Salix cinerea, which

are used interchangeably with Salix alba (White Willow).

No information in this letter should be construed as medical advice.

This information is for educational purposes only.

Jeff el

10360 Pine Lakes Blvd

North Fort Myers, Fl 33903

http://www.msprotocols.com/