White Willow: An efficient pain relief product

Joints pain contributes to the major cause of global disease burden. Arthritis is caused by age related or immunological mediated wear and tear on joints or by repeated joint injuries and strains. With repetitive strains, cartilage that protects the bones wears away, allowing the bones to strike each other and leading to painful inflammation, restriction of mobility and tenderness of the joints. The bark of the white willow tree is a customary cure for arthritis, considered to be an efficient pain relief product that may help relieve discomfort from arthritis.

The white willow tree is native to most parts of Europe, Asia and North America. Its bark has been part of many forms of traditional medicine for thousands of years and its historical importance lies in the fact that it was prescribed by Hippocrates, who recommended that patients chew the bark to relieve pains and aches. In Chinese medicine, willow is recommended by practitioners for relief of certain types of inflammations and joints pain. The natural chemicals present in the willow boost the immune system, act as antioxidants and suppress the inflammation thereby contributing to the restoration of joint health.

The legend goes that white willow, if used in moderate dosages since the childhood, helps is keeping the joints agile and disease free throughout life. The most widely studied, active component of willow bark is called salicin, a compound related to aspirin in its function and a powerful and safe pain relief product. It does not produce instantaneous effect as after ingestion, it is converted to its active form, salicylic acid and then acts on the target tissue. Another chemical of importance in willow bark is called salicortin, a compound that restricts an enzyme that is involved in the onset of inflammation, thus delaying the process of joint swelling and pain.

This pain relief product has been an object of wide researches in recent past due to its formidable reputation in pain management and joint protection. A number of clinical studies and trials have examined the efficacy of willow bark extract for pain management in arthritis. In a review of several clinical trials published in the journal "Spine" in 2007, the authors concluded that people who took willow bark experienced greater relief of their arthritis pain than those who took a placebo.

Willow bark is available in capsule form from most health food stores without prescription as a food supplement. The recommended dose is 60 to 240 mg of standardized herb daily. As applicable with most of the joint pain supplements, you must consult your doctor before its usage. Although it is generally considered to be safe, willow bark may also cause stomach upset in some people. It may also combine with certain prescription medications such as antiplatelet agents used when there is high risk of clot formation, diuretics or NSAIDs(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Thus white willow is claimed to be a reliable and beneficial pain relief product with excellent potency and efficacy.

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