The willow is made up of nine different species which are native to Great Britain. The species belong to the Onagraceae family, which also includes familiar garden flowers like the Fuchsia, Clarkia, Godetia, and the Evening Primrose. The Enchanter’s Nightshade, which is a wild plant that is scientifically referred to as Circaea lutetiana, also belongs to the same family. Many members of this family are rich in tannins. They also find a great deal of domestic use as astringents. The name of the genus Epilobium, is derived from two Greek words, with epi meaning upon and lobos meaning a pod. This comes from the fact that the flowers stand on top of long, thin, pod-like seed-vessels, which gives off the appearance they are standing on especially thick flower-stems.

Dioscorides, the Greek physician, recognized willow for its medicinal value during the first century AD. He recommended that this herb be used for both pain and inflammation. Willow bark was also used by early Chinese physicians for pain and inflammation. The Egyptians, on the other hand, considered willow to be a sign of joy and celebration. The Native Americans also recognized the value of willow for the treatment of pain, fevers, and inflammation. This knowledge was passed on to the colonists when they moved to the New World.

Willow is a nerve sedative because it does not have any depression after effects. It works similarly to asprin. However, it is very gentle on the stomach. A drink was traditionally made by putting willow bark in water. This drink was then used in order to treat fevers and chills. It was also used as substitute for chinchona bark. This herb is helpful in healing inflamed and infected eyes. Willow is often referred to as an essential first aid plant. The plant has strong antispectic properties. It is also good for treating wounds, ulcerations, and eczema. The bark of the willow contains the glycoside salicin, which is an effective painkiller. Asprin is actually a synthetic derivative of this component. Most often, willow is used for minor body aches and pains.

The natural source of synthetic asprin is salicylic acid. Asprin and willow share many similar analgesic properties. Salicylates are able to reduce pain by acting on sensory nerves and inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins that are involved with inflammation.

The bark of the willow plant is used to provide alterative, analgesic, anodyne, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, and febrifuge properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are isorhamnetin, phenolic glycosides, quercetin, salicin, salicylic acid, and salinigrin. Primarily, willow is extremely beneficial in treating eczema, fever, headache, nervousness, pain, rheumatism, sex depressant, and ulceration. Additionally, this herb is very helpful in dealing with bleeding, chills, corns, dandruff, diarrhea, dysentery, earache, flu, gout, hay fever, heartburn, impotence, infection, inflammation, sore muscle, night sweats, ovarian pain, and tonsillitis.

In order to obtain the best results when supplementing with this, or any herb, it is important to consult your health care provider before beginning any regimen. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by willow, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.

Reduce Painful inflammation with white willow bark at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Reduce Painful inflammation with white willow bark at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Author Bio: Reduce Painful inflammation with white willow bark at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: White Willow Bark,Pain,Inflammation,Herbal Asprin