I was totally giddy about finding this herb! Tylenol has been my last hold out as far as drugs I'm willing to take, even though I know good and well it depletes the body of Vitamin C. There's an herb for everything, and this one is much better than the medical substitute.
When I decided that there just must be an herb I could take for pain, I looked it up in my handy-dandy, favorite herb book. It never lets me down. I found some very interesting information:
In 1827, Leroux, a French Chemist extracted a substance he called "Salicin" from the bark of the White Willow tree. Salicin is the pain relieving, main active ingredient of White Willow. In Germany, in 1899, Hofman and Bayer created a synthetic form of White Willow and marketed it commercially as "aspirin".
Aspirin is simply a synthetic form of White Willow. It performs the same role in the body as aspirin, but doesn't have the side effects of aspirin.
The three major uses of White Willow Bark:
1. Reduces fever
2. Pain reliever
3. Anti-inflammatory
Sound familiar?
9 comments:
I am so excited to read this and can't wait to try it! I'm always trying to find natural solutions for everything! Anti-inflammatory, and pain that can't be fixed by Arnica are pretty much the only reason I turn to OTC drugs instead of natural solutions! And then there is my prescription night-time cough med that I need once or twice a year when my allergy drainage turns into infection in my chest. I haven't found an OTC remedy even that is strong enough to allow me to sleep at night. Any suggestions for that?
I love that you found this, I am getting that book. Now if you can find an herbal epidural, you'll be rich, lol :)
Does it have the same concerns as aspirin such as Reye syndrome, etc.? I'll be anxious to try this!
I get busy for a week and come back to you being sick?
You are not supposed to be sick, but since you have been, I am happy to see how you kicked booty out of your nasties.
White Willow....this is good to know. I will be reading more about that one for sure.
Yay for Maya and Elena!
Way to go, girls.
Hmm..I'm curious about this one. Asprin thins the blood. I'm wondering if the Willow Bark does also. I've always thought that was dangerous in pregnancy.
Do be careful taking this and please post if this is safe during pregnancy.
Thanks,
Shell
No, it doesn't thin the blood. Like I said, it doesn't have the side effects that aspirin does. Yes, it's safe during pregnancy, but don't take my word for it. Research it yourself. :)
White Willow Bark can even be used for Migraines, so it's obviously some good stuff. :)
Ginger,
I want to know...have you tried it yet...and did it work well for you?
Wow that is great to know!
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