White Willow Bark Extract Info

White willow bark extract comes from the white willow tree where it's been used for literally thousands of years in China as a medicinal aid to relieve pain and lower fever. Native Americans as well used the willow tree for similar purposes as it grows in N. America, Asia, even Europe. Multiple species of the willow tree are all used for medicinal purposes as they are all salicin-rich, namely, the crack willow, purple willow, and the violet willow. So what is "salicin"?

The active ingredient that gives white willow its "kick," is this salicin. The body converts the salicin into salicylic acid. This is important as the very first aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) was actually made from salicin-rich herb, namely, meadowsweet, which has similar properties as the white willow branch extract. In fact, now, it's not uncommon to hear white willow bark referred to as "herbal aspirin."

What are the main benefits of white willow bark extract? They are: headache relief, it relieves menstrual cramps, muscle aches, and arthritis pains. It has anti-inflammatory properties, contains tannins and flavonoids that accounts for the bulk of its therapeutic qualities.

White Willow Branch ExtractPrecautions

White willow bark can be taken long-term at recommended doses without harmful repercussions. However, if one takes more than recommended doses, common side effects are, ringing in the ears, stomach upset, nausea, mild dizziness.

If any of these reactions develop, reduce the dosage or stop taking the herb. Some general, yet important, precautions to bear in mind are:

• If you're allergic to aspirin, or if you have an ulcer, avoid white willow bark extract.
• Pregnant and nursing mothers should consult with their doctor before using white willow branch extract.
• Don't give white willow bark extract to children/teenagers under 16 who have symptoms of the flu or chicken pox.
• Don't take more than 60 to 120 mg of salicin-rich white willow bark extract a day.
• Before embarking on any supplementation program, consult with your doctor.
• If possible, take it in tablet form as they mask the bitter taste of the white willow bark extract.

How To Choose A White Willow Bark Extract Supplement

In choosing a white willow bark supplement, you want to adhere to the following criteria:

• The white willow bark supplement should be standardized to contain 40 mg (or 15%) salicin -- the active ingredient found in the bark. The active ingredients are responsible for its therapeutic properties.
• You should only choose to buy your white willow extract supplement that is produced at a pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities. This ensures you are getting product from manufacturers that adhere to the strictest regulatory requirements. Believe it or not, 1 in 5 supplements don't even have the stated ingredients on the label. Fraud is rampant as this report entails. Click here for more information.
• Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label.

Alternative Herbs to White Willow Bark Extract

White willow extract or white willow bark may be difficult to find. In that case, we recommend you consider other alternatives that harbor the same therapeutic qualities as white willow bark -- Turmeric and Ginger Root. Turmeric is a potent herb that has strong anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-cancer and anti-oxidant capabilities. Click here for more info.

Ginger root is also a powerful herb and one of the very best therapeutic herbs on the planet. Ginger is not only popular as an aid in Western and Asian cuisine, but it is actually a powerful herb that is used in many varied forms including curbing motion sickness, minimizing the effects of the flu, allergies, -- it's even been used in treating arthritis and lowering cholesterol.

Ginger root is a great alternative to white willow bark extract. If you're interested in a complete herbal supplement that contains potent herbal extracts, trace and specialty nutrients, as well as a full range of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, then click here to learn more about the supplements we ourselves take.

After years of research, I finally found a company that produces pharmaceutical-grade quality supplements that have a guaranteed 80% absorption rate. I hope this white willow bark extract info has been useful to you.

Yours in health,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com