Salicin from Willow Bark.Willow Bark Extract.Salicin

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Botanical Data of white willow Bark.

Willow Bark Extract.Salicin INCI Name SALIX ALBA BARK EXTRACT EINECS ELINCS No 282-029-0 CAS 084082-82-6 Salicin 138-52-3 photo picture image Botanical Name:Salix alba
 Family:Salicaceae
 Common names:Salicin willow,Willow withe,Withy,Basket Willow, Crack Willow, Salix, Salix fragilis, Salix purpurea

 Habitat:Native of Europe and of the northern and temperate parts of North America.

 What Is White Willow Bark?

 White willow (Salix alba) is a large tree that grows in Central and Southern Europe, Asia, and North America. Also known as European willow or baywillow, this tree prefers to root near streams and rivers and grows to a height of 35-75 ft (11-25 m). In the spring the slender branches first sprout tiny, yellow flowers and then long, thin green leaves.

 White willow belongs to the Salicaceae family. There are over 300 species of willow, but only several species are used medicinally: white willow (S. alba), purple willow (S. purpurea), violet willow (S. daphnoides), and crack willow (S. fragilis).

 The bark of the stately white willow tree (Salix alba) has been used in China for centuries as a medicine because of its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. Early settlers to America found Native Americans gathering bark from indigenous willow trees for similar purposes.

 The active ingredient in white willow is salicin, which the body converts into salicylic acid. The first aspirin(acetylsalicylic acid) was made from a different salicin-containing herb--meadowsweet--but works in essentially the same way. All aspirin is now chemically synthesized. It's not surprising, then, that white willow bark is often called "herbal aspirin."

 Although white willow is the species of willow tree most commonly used for medicinal purposes, other salicin-rich species are employed as well, including crack willow (Salix fragilis), purple willow (Salix purpurea), and violet willow (Salix daphnoides). These all may be sold under the label of willow bark.

 It is a deciduous tree found along stream banks, shores, and rich, low woods. White willow grows up to 75 feet high and is covered with a rough, gray bark. The leaves are alternate, wide at the base and tapering to a point, covered with short hairs on both sides. Male and female catkins grow on separate trees.

 Medicinal parts:Bark

 Drug Interactions and Precautions:

 White Willow Bark Has Analgesic, Antipyretic Properties
 The analgesic, antipyretic, antiseptic and disinfectant properties of white willow bark have been known to physicians for hundreds of years.

 Research throughout the last century identified and isolated salicin as the primary active ingredient, though other components also possess mild analgesic properties. From salicin, salicylic acid and finally acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) were derived.

 The latter substance has a more concentrated action than salicin, but its action is no different. There is currently some debate over how much active analgesic substance is available in a typical sample of dried, processed bark.

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citations1.Salicin from Willow Bark.Willow Bark Extract.Salicin

last edit date:11th,May.2009.