Salix alba bark extract is made from the bark of the willow tree which has a substance known as salicin which has aspirin-like properties that our body uses to produce salicylic acid which is a precursor to aspirin. An extract of this bark has been used in alternative medicine as a way to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation.
This particular bark has been used for a very long time and as far back as we can date would be the 4th century in Greece where people would take a bark from this tree and chew it because it provided relief from pain. It has analgesic and antipyretic properties, which means that it relieves pain and reduces fever if it is present.
In recent years, this bark has gained popularity because it is believed to be a great alternative to many of the best over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, including Aleve, Advil, and Aspirin. It is also one of the best natural pain relievers for headaches and many alternative medicine practitioners use it to treat their patients. It also helps a lot if you have pain in your lower back, knees, and some other conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Many people also consider it a good weight loss aid.
Here are some of the health benefits, side effects, drug interactions, and proper dosage associated with using this extract.
Salix Alba Bark Extract Health Benefits
low back pain
People suffering from acute lower back pain may find this natural pain reliever to solve their problems. The research uncovered substantial evidence that it can actually help people who suffer from this type of pain.
The researchers analyzed and evaluated 14 studies in which patients were treated with different herbs for low back pain and found that people who were treated with salix alba consistently reported relief from their symptoms compared to the control group with placebo. They also found that higher doses of the extract were better and more effective and that pain relief results are not instant and can take up to a week to appear.
Although this supports the health benefit of this bark extract in people suffering from low back pain, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of salix alba bark in relieving low back pain.
arthritis
Salix alba bark extract can potentially help people suffering from arthritis, but much more research is needed to be sure of this because the research that is available at this time has shown mixed results.
A study involving salix alba bark extract containing 240 mg of salicin was given to osteoarthritis patients daily and showed 14% pain relief after two weeks of taking the treatment compared to the placebo group who only had a 2% reduction in pain. . However, another study involving 127 people with osteoarthritis of the knee who were given 240 mg of salicin had an 18% reduction in pain, while the group taking Voltaren, which is a drug for this type of arthritis, had a 47% reduction in pain levels. When they compared the results with the placebo group, they concluded that the 18% reduction in pain for people who took the bark extract was the same as that of the placebo group who did not take any medication.
weightloss
Research on whether or not this bark extract can enhance weight loss is inconclusive, although it does suggest that when taken with a combination of other medications, such as ephedra and kola nut, it might contribute to weight loss in obese or overweight people. That said, ephedra is a controversial drug because it is considered unsafe and has been banned in the US due to the harmful side effects it could have, especially when taken in combination with other drugs or skin care products Of the health.
anti-aging
Due to the salicin content in the bark extract, it is used in many skin care products, as salicin has some properties that can regulate genes in our skin. It is also associated with the regulation of groups of genes that are related to the aging process of the skin. The salicin that is present in this extract has a role in creating collagen that maintains the elasticity of our skin and prevents it from wrinkling.
An investigation that was carried out on 30 people who were between 40 and 70 years old and applied an extract that had 0.5% salicin gave positive results after doing it every day for 12 weeks.
anti-inflammatory
Salix alba extract is believed to have the best anti-inflammatory properties due to the amount of salicin it contains. People find it useful when they have facial acne, sunburn, and herpetic inflammation.
The research to support this was done on 30 people who were between the ages of 16 and 35, of which 15 had oily skin and 15 had moderate acne skin. Cosmetics containing salicin were applied to the skin for 14 days and showed excellent results at the end of the study.
Possible Side Effects of Salix Alba Extract
While short-term use of this extract has not shown any side effects and is perfectly safe, the research on its long-term use is not very conclusive and it is not yet clear whether it is safe or not. Since it has similar properties to aspirin, it is very possible that you will have the same side effects, especially if you use it a lot. Some of those unpleasant side effects can be vomiting, dizziness, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, upset stomach, and liver toxicity.
It is not recommended for adolescents and young children because they can develop a condition known as Reye’s syndrome, which is very rare but can be fatal. Another group that should be kept away from the use of this extract is new mothers who are still breastfeeding because they could unintentionally harm their newborn baby. As for pregnant women, there is no study done, but it is not recommended and it is much better to keep some distance just to be safe.
Another possibility could be an allergic reaction to this bark extract. Since it has aspirin-like properties, people who are allergic to it should also stay away from salix alba bark extract. It’s not certain that people who are allergic to aspirin will also have an allergic reaction to the extract, but avoiding it is the smart way to go because it can lead to a serious condition known as anaphylaxis which, if left untreated, can lead to coma, cardiac arrest, and heart failure. respiratory. , suffocation and even death.
Interactions with other medications
Salix alba bark extract can cause slow blood clotting, which will prolong bleeding time, so it should not be taken in conjunction with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications such as Coumadin and Plavix, as they may interfere with the purpose of the medication.
If you are using salix alba bark extract and have surgery scheduled soon, you should stop at least 2 weeks beforehand because it may cause harm to your body and excessive bleeding during surgery. People who have bleeding disorders should also avoid this extract.
The compounds in this extract are very similar to those found in pain relievers, including Discalcid and Trilisate, so mixing this extract with them could cause some side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
Salix Alba Bark Extract Dosage
Basically, this extract is safe to take up to 400 mg per day when used for a short period of time if you are looking for relief from joint pain or muscle pain. Usually, supplements with this extract are easily found on the market in the form of capsules with ready-made doses, but they can also be found in the form of powders and liquids in which you must take into account the dose you are taking, so that it is better to stay at 400 mg per day or less. for your safety and well-being.
conclusion
Salix alba bark has long been used as a medicine to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever symptoms in many native cultures due to the salicin it contains, which our bodies convert to salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin.
This bark extract is believed to be one of the best natural pain relievers and has many health benefits that rival even the best over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications available today. Although more research needs to be done on this extract, there is some available that suggests it may help people suffering from arthritis and lower back pain.
Some research suggests that combining salix alba extract with ephedra and kola nut might help overweight and obese people lose weight, but it is not recommended due to the possible side effects of ephedra, which can be serious and very harmful.
It is also used in cosmetics to make anti-aging creams and gels due to the salicin it contains, which helps maintain the elasticity of our skin and regulates gene pools. Additionally, people may find it helpful if they have facial acne, sunburn, and herpetic inflammation because research suggests it has the best anti-inflammatory properties that can significantly reduce symptoms in just 14 days.