View Full Version : Willow for asprin
Hi all
I have heard that willow can be use as a substitute for asprin in the wild. Is this true and if so which part of the tree do you use? is it the leaves or the bark and how do you prepare it?
Nick
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.
I should have left it to the pro'. :roll: :biggthump
I should have left it to the pro'. :roll: :biggthump
Sorry mate, studied herbalism and was a scientist for a while working with pharmaceuticals...:wink:
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.
...was a scientist for a while working with pharmaceuticals...:wink:
No worries. I'm actually studying chemical physics at uni so know all about salicylic acid, not a biochemist though. :o):
Fenlander
23-02-2005, 20:13
Meadow Sweet also contains "salicilic acid". I've been told that chewing the root produces best results :lol:
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 (http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Filipendula+ulmaria&CAN=COMIND)
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:
There are times when I have to take mega amounts of ibuprofen :cry: (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
And you studied herbalism!
And you studied herbalism!
Oh come on! I was up to 2000 plants when I gave up!!!!
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"
.
Then why did Bayer promote its product under a name that made clear it did not contain meadowsweet
(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
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.
Then why did Bayer promote its product under a name that made clear it did not contain meadowsweet
(aspirine= a-spiraea= without meadowsweet)?
greetings,
Ketje
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
R-Bowskill
24-02-2005, 09:33
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:
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.[/QUOTE]
Uhuh :-) Also major components in Flying ointments! I'm v.v.lucky, I still heal, just there are times when I *really* ache (today...yesterday fun, but oooh ouch) I'm getting good at dealing with it, willow bark is a *hit* on the pain, but the dull, just there sort of feeling like the next day as the dentists cocaine eases off drives me nuts. The meadowsweet just soothes and lets me move normally so long as I don't force anything. Birch is good too but the smell gets into everything...nice outdoors though....lots of cancer warnings flying around about it just now :cry:
I stick to the old, "Three days, do you really need it any more?" for any of the anti-inflammatories and painkillers. At least it makes you think about what you're doing. I'm probably going to get shouted down by all the medics now :?: Ah well, there advice will be topical.
Thanks for all the info folks, interesting thread.
Toddy
R-Bowskill
24-02-2005, 10:30
Does anyone know which species of red willow is used by the Lakota Sioux in their pipes?
Toddy - I can understand how you feel, as my mother is crippled with RA and Osteo Athritis. Must tell her about meadow sweet for her better days.
RE: flying potion - I always thought/ was taught the Aconitum to use was wolfsbane, A. vulparia (nee lycotonum), rather than a. napellus.
We planted some henbane and belladonna the other day. Plus hemlock.
If anyone wants some white willow I think there is some on our estate - however, most herbalists sell it cheap.
Tomahawk
24-02-2005, 21:21
The arial parts of meadow sweet, that is leaves and flowers etc, have salicilic acid that is available to the body very swiftly. Infuse in hot water for Good results, about a tea spoon per cup of dried ariel parts. Meadow sweet is also very beneficial and soothing for the stomach. I have been using it recently to stave of cold symtoms.
There are other plants with salicylic acid in them where the salicilic acid is only readliy avaliable topicaly or is effective in the mouth rather than effecting the whole system.
Fenlander
24-02-2005, 23:23
Does anyone know which species of red willow is used by the Lakota Sioux in their pipes?
Mors Kochanski recommends red-osier dogwood and says "The dried bark makes a superior tobacco additive".
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 (http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Filipendula+ulmaria&CAN=COMIND)
But i've never tried it.
Bang on!! In fact all the posts are equally vaild, but Meadowsweet is probably the safest natural asprin equivalent available.
Latin name Spiraea Latifolia
Pic
http://www.carsoncity.k12.mi.us/~hsstudent/wildflowers/meadowsweet2.jpg
There are several plants known as meadowsweet. I use only filipenula ulmaria
http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/rosaceae/filipendula-ulmaria.htm
This is the European meadowsweet, I haven't ever found the other growing in any of my haunts.
Toddy
falling rain
25-02-2005, 08:53
Mad Dave. Is that picture a different type of Meadowsweet to the common plant that grows in the UK. ? I know there is also a 'Willow leaved Meadowsweet'. and a type that grows in the U.S.. I beleive theres a Japanese Meadowsweet too with Purple flowers. Somehow the leaves don't look quite right in your pic to the one I'm thinking of. I thought they were 3 lobed near the top of the plant :?: Does this type grow in the UK ? Or is it the UK type and I'm talking rubbish ? :lol:
Tantalus
16-04-2005, 19:43
i dunno if this ever got cleared up
i dont recognise maddaves plant at all :(
but the link says it came from http://www.carsoncity.k12.mi.us/~hsstudent/wildflowers/meadowsweet2.jpg
so i guess that would be a US plant
the one i do recognise is the one from toddys link
http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/rosaceae/filipendula-ulmaria.htm
which invaded a local field and i can remember the smell of it in the summer, as for any medicinial properties i can not say, and sadly it was eliminated with weedkillers and is no longer there
Tant
stuart f
19-04-2005, 14:20
One way to recognize that you have picked Meadow sweet is to break open the root and take a sniff it will smell like Germoline, you now that pink stuff you put on insect bits,cuts and grazes etc.
Mors kindly gave us some Rat root whilst we were in canada which I brought back to the UK.
works wonders on my wifes arthritus, unfortunatly its not plesant to take :eek:
Mors said that it should be available in the UK even gave the Latin name (which I forgot) anyone know what its called and where we can find it here????
A quick internet search has revealed:
Acorus calamus
Rat Root, also called Beewort, Muskrat Root, Pine Root, Sweet Calomel, Sweet Cane, Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Flag Root, Calamus Root, Sweet Myrtle, and Sweet Rush, is considered by the Chinese to have anti-arrhythmic, hypotensive, vasodilatory, anti-tussive, anti-bacterial and expectorant properties. Rat Root has been historically used for lack of mental focus, stomach problems, acidity, and as an aid to quit smoking tobacco. Rat Root has been shown to be of low toxicity in animals, and adverse reactions are rare. Though recent studies have revealed the presence of B-asarone, a carcinogen, the American variety is considered superior to the European because it seems to lack this ingredient. The Native Americans would chew the root while running long distances to increase endurance and stamina. The Indians also used it as an anesthetic for toothache and headaches. Externally, it is added to the bath to quiet the nerves and induce a state of tranquility. Tincture of Rat Root is useful as a parasiticide when directly, and frequently, applied to lice & scabies infestations. Rat Root does have emmanagogic properties and should be avoided during pregnancy.
why it should be called 'Sweet' anything escapes me, its about as bitter as can be imagined
FeralSheryl
04-05-2005, 13:35
Found some useful info at the Global Herbal Supplies website through Google. I can't vouch for it's accuracy as I know nothing about the company and am no expert on herbalism (yet ;) ) but there appears to be alot of useful info on Meadowsweet to work with there:
http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/meadowsweet.htm
Tantalus
04-05-2005, 14:29
the british one has a very distinctive sweet smell when it flowers stuart :)
Tant