Willow for asprin
- Thread starter nipper
- Start date
Willow bark contains a form of asprin and has a similar effect when the bark is chewed. It was used long ago before the reason behind it was known.
Yes, Its true. The inner bark contain Salicillin and it can be prepared by either chewing it or steeping a bundle of fingersized twigs in boiling water.
The resultant tea is VERY bitter and needs sweetening with honey.
It is very effective but...
I DON'T PERSONALLY RECOMMEND THIS EXCEPT IN SURVIVAL SITUATIONS.
Willows can draw up chemicals throught their roots from water so may draw up harmful chemicals. Also, as salicillin is the base compund from which Aspirin was derived, the same allergic reactions may be evinced.
ONLY USE IN AN EMERGENCY IF PROPRIETRY ANALGESICS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
I don't accept any respnsibility for any misuse of this info and doubt will BCUK either.
ONLY USE IN AN EMERGENCY IF PROPRIETRY ANALGESICS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
The resultant tea is VERY bitter and needs sweetening with honey.
It is very effective but...
I DON'T PERSONALLY RECOMMEND THIS EXCEPT IN SURVIVAL SITUATIONS.
Willows can draw up chemicals throught their roots from water so may draw up harmful chemicals. Also, as salicillin is the base compund from which Aspirin was derived, the same allergic reactions may be evinced.
ONLY USE IN AN EMERGENCY IF PROPRIETRY ANALGESICS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
I don't accept any respnsibility for any misuse of this info and doubt will BCUK either.
ONLY USE IN AN EMERGENCY IF PROPRIETRY ANALGESICS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
hootchi said:
Sorry mate, studied herbalism and was a scientist for a while working with pharmaceuticals...
Historically, the problem with willow (Lat.: salix) bark is it helped against pain, but ruined your stomach. When Bayer got a slightly different chemical version on the market, some 130 years ago (acetyl-salicilic acid in stead of 'natural' salicilic acid) they circumvened that problem and made a fortune!
Indeed, you could get back to basics and munch salix bark, but it's much healthier to carry a few modern aspirin tablets with you.
Indeed, you could get back to basics and munch salix bark, but it's much healthier to carry a few modern aspirin tablets with you.
No worries. I'm actually studying chemical physics at uni so know all about salicylic acid, not a biochemist though.jakunen said:...was a scientist for a while working with pharmaceuticals...
):
Meadow Sweet also contains "salicilic acid". I've been told that chewing the root produces best results 
Guess thats why REAL mead (meadow sweet gets its name from 'mead sweet' as it was used to sweeten mead in medieval times), doesn't give you a hangover...
MEADOWSWEET
"Unlike the extracted aspirin, which can cause gastric ulceration at high doses, the combination of constituents in meadowsweet act to protect the inner lining of the stomach and intestines whilst still providing the anti-inflammatory benefits of aspirin"
LINK
But i've never tried it.
"Unlike the extracted aspirin, which can cause gastric ulceration at high doses, the combination of constituents in meadowsweet act to protect the inner lining of the stomach and intestines whilst still providing the anti-inflammatory benefits of aspirin"
LINK
But i've never tried it.
Kimboko - didn't know that!
Hmm, maybe I can use that myself as it won't react with my ulcers...I feel some research coming on!:super:
Hmm, maybe I can use that myself as it won't react with my ulcers...I feel some research coming on!:super:
There are times when I have to take mega amounts of ibuprofen 
(rheumatoid arthritis) but it has side effects so I don't take it all the time. Meadowsweet essential oil diluted in sweet almond gives me a topical analgesic that's very gentle on me. I use to make it using enfleurrage from meadowsweet flowers (a real skiddle in a damp, overcast Scotland) but a friend in Canada sourced me Filipendula ulmaria wildcrafted ess. oil. The source has now dried up...the oil is used by perfumiers...anybody know any other sources??
Sorry, this is bit off topic.
Toddy
(rheumatoid arthritis) but it has side effects so I don't take it all the time. Meadowsweet essential oil diluted in sweet almond gives me a topical analgesic that's very gentle on me. I use to make it using enfleurrage from meadowsweet flowers (a real skiddle in a damp, overcast Scotland) but a friend in Canada sourced me Filipendula ulmaria wildcrafted ess. oil. The source has now dried up...the oil is used by perfumiers...anybody know any other sources??Sorry, this is bit off topic.
Toddy
Then why did Bayer promote its product under a name that made clear it did not contain meadowsweetKIMBOKO said:
(aspirine= a-spiraea= without meadowsweet)?
greetings,
Ketje
I don't know for your place, but in France alone there is over 30 sub-species of willow, each having different concentrations of sallicilin. I second the aforementioned warnings... and I'd add that you must take great care in finding out the exact sub-species you're working with and make sure the dosages are good.
I studied herbalism a little, and guess what : I carry paracetamol in the bush
Many people allergic to sea foods are allergic to aspirin and sallicilin as well.
I think people underestimate the possible side-effects of herbal remedies. Those things are true medicine, with real chemical compounds, and they deserve the same care and caution than pharmaceutical stuff...
Cheers,
David
I studied herbalism a little, and guess what : I carry paracetamol in the bush
Many people allergic to sea foods are allergic to aspirin and sallicilin as well.
I think people underestimate the possible side-effects of herbal remedies. Those things are true medicine, with real chemical compounds, and they deserve the same care and caution than pharmaceutical stuff...
Cheers,
David
Moine/David,
Totally agree about the Salix point. Salix is one of the most widespread tree species as it is so adaptable. hell the damn things grow everywhere from the Sinia desert to the Artcic Tundra!
As regards herbalism however, bit of a sticky wicket as current research indicates that using 'less pure' herbal remedies may be better than 'pure' chemiclas as the other ingredients may actively help in the healing process.
Whilst a pharmaceutical treats the EXACT symptom, herbal or 'alternative/holistic' medicines tend to treat both the symptom AND its cause, i.e. the whole body rather than just the bit that hurts, and tend to have less or shorter lasting side effects that are generally less harmful to the body as a whole.
Totally agree about the Salix point. Salix is one of the most widespread tree species as it is so adaptable. hell the damn things grow everywhere from the Sinia desert to the Artcic Tundra!
As regards herbalism however, bit of a sticky wicket as current research indicates that using 'less pure' herbal remedies may be better than 'pure' chemiclas as the other ingredients may actively help in the healing process.
Whilst a pharmaceutical treats the EXACT symptom, herbal or 'alternative/holistic' medicines tend to treat both the symptom AND its cause, i.e. the whole body rather than just the bit that hurts, and tend to have less or shorter lasting side effects that are generally less harmful to the body as a whole.
Ketchup said:
The derivation of the name isn't quite that - it's a contraction of Acetyl Spirea In
"In"/"ine" just being a common ending for a drug name like "on" and "tine" and "il" at the moment. Meadow sweet tastes a darn sight better than willow bark. You also get a lot of the compound in birch, and in wintergreen. I've used birch oil before as a topical painkiller. Only trouble is it reeks of creosote.
Realgar
Pharmaceutical...from the Greek 'Pharmakos' ie one who mixes up potions and casts spells.
Alot of people confuse 'natural' with 'good'. I've met people who will willingly carry a lump of Uranium Oxide that is radioactive enought to take it's own picture because it's a 'natural crystal' but panic if I suggest they go in the same room as an Alpha partical source.
Any treatment applied inapropriately will cause harm, it's knowing when not to use something that makes the person knowledgable. Some people dose themselves with painkillers ignoring the fact that pain exists for a reason, It's a warning signal to ease up and rest a bit, to give your body a chance to recover and should be listened to.
:super:
Alot of people confuse 'natural' with 'good'. I've met people who will willingly carry a lump of Uranium Oxide that is radioactive enought to take it's own picture because it's a 'natural crystal' but panic if I suggest they go in the same room as an Alpha partical source.
Any treatment applied inapropriately will cause harm, it's knowing when not to use something that makes the person knowledgable. Some people dose themselves with painkillers ignoring the fact that pain exists for a reason, It's a warning signal to ease up and rest a bit, to give your body a chance to recover and should be listened to.
:super:
it is white williow (Salix alba) that is used for the "asprin" effect - the other don't work to well / even worse on the stomach.
Toddy - in medevil times monkshood juice in an oil base was used to relieve athritic pain. Atropine has a pain killing effect at very low doses. Just for historic info - certainly not to try as the side effect of getting the dose wrong is death.
Toddy - in medevil times monkshood juice in an oil base was used to relieve athritic pain. Atropine has a pain killing effect at very low doses. Just for historic info - certainly not to try as the side effect of getting the dose wrong is death.
