We live in a time when the trend is to turn more and more to alternative medicine to naturally treat our little pains. Consequently, herbal medicine, the use of plants to prevent or cure a large part of our daily ailments, is gaining in popularity. Since Antiquity, white willow bark extract has found its place in traditional medicine, used in particular by renowned doctors such as Hippocrates. If we’ve sparked your curiosity, stick with us to learn all regarding white willow bark, its health benefits, and why it’s called natural aspirin.
The white willow or sacred tree has been known for almost 2500 years
#Story
The white willow is native to Europe, but can be found in Asia and South America. The use of willow bark has traveled civilizations and spanned centuries. The Chinese and Egyptians used it to lower the temperature. In the Middle Ages, willow extract was used to reduce libido and eliminate warts.
White willow bark has many health benefits
#Composition
It is scientifically proven that willow bark is the origin of modern aspirin. Among the components of willow we have the glycoside salicin, which has analgesic and antiseptic properties. At the beginning of the 19th century, salicin was created artificially and appeared under the name of aspirin. Because, indeed, if you think regarding it, it is difficult and expensive to naturally extract a large quantity of bark. When pure salicin enters our body, it is transformed into salicylic acid which makes us benefit from its qualities.
Apart from salicin, we can find components such as: tannins, oxalates, flavonoids which actively contribute to the benefits of willow bark on our organism such as:
- Diuretic
- Antiseptic
- Anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- Immunostimulant
- Diaphoretic
- Healing
White willow is known as plant aspirin
#Relieves pain
White bark extract can relieve chronic headaches and migraines, plus it’s kinder to the stomach than other pills. Studies have shown that in people who have lower back pain the result is beneficial.
#Arthritis
Tincture and decoction help fight inflammatory processes that affect the joints. Regular use can decrease the pain and fever that appear in pathologies localized in the joint tissues. You can take it either as an infusion or as a compress directly on the painful area.
White willow bark has analgesic properties to treat back pain
#Beneficial for the skin
White willow bark is also used for the treatment of corns or warts, as well as burns, cuts and small wounds. Its antibacterial properties and the presence of hydroxy acid, which is important for the renewal of skin cells. For more aesthetic use can use as prevention once morest wrinkles.
#Heart Health
We all know the use of aspirin as a preventive measure once morest the formation of blood stones and its intake in the event of a heart attack. Therefore, as salicin is found in willow bark, it can be used to prevent heart and cardiovascular disease.
An infusion of white willow bark to prevent heart disease
#Neuralgic problems
If peripheral nerves are damaged, willow bark will help relieve pain and inflammation. In this case, it should be used as a decoction or compresses on the affected area.
#Other uses
You can use it once morest:
- menstrual cramps
- Fever
- Flu
- tendinitis
- Insomnia
If you have warts, you can treat them with a tincture of white willow bark.
Contra indications
Be careful with the amount you take, as too much willow bark can cause unwanted side effects, such as: nausea, upset stomach, skin rash, mouth sores, or dizziness. If you are allergic to aspirin, do not take it under any circumstances. It can also interact with certain anticoagulant medications. Children under the age of 16 should not consume it for the reason, risk of Reye’s syndrome. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in diabetics and patients with asthma or digestive disorders.
White willow is an undeniable grandmother’s remedy
You can of course find it in the form of capsules, liquid extracts, dried plants or in tincture. In the first place, we will give you the grandmother’s recipe that has always been used
#Recipe grandmother
- Pour teaspoon of willow bark pieces into regarding half a liter of cold water.
- Leave to rest for regarding 8 hours.
- Strain the liquid and consume it within a day.
You can use this mixture for external use as a compress on wounds or problem areas.
#Infusion
- Take 2 to 3 gr of dry bark
- Infuse them in 250 ml of boiling water, to be taken before each meal.
#Dyeing
- Take 150 gr of white willow bark and pour 500 ml of white alcohol or diluted alcohol
- Let stand 30 days
- Filter and put it in a bottle
- Pour regarding 30 – 40 drops in a glass of water to be taken 3 times a day.
You can use powdered white willow bark
Now you know why it is called white willow, natural aspirin. Be indulgent with your body by using natural medicine and take full advantage of white willow bark and its benefits that are identical to aspirin without the side effects.
To remove the bitter taste of the white willow bark infusion, you can add a little honey
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