Recent research indicates that the willow tree is not just picturesque but the leaves carry great benefits for the body, as the leaves and bark contain an active ingredient called
Salicin, which helps to relieve lower back pain, while the white bark has a long-term effect on reducing the severity of headaches and migraines.
But a chance conversation with her new neighbour, at the temporary digs she and George share, has led to her launching the
Salicin Skincare range.
This was until pharmacists began extracting the willow bark's active ingredient and named it "
salicin." This was eventually modified in the mid-1800s until the first acetylsalicylic acid was produced, patented, and sold by pharmaceutical company Bayer at the turn of the 20th century, naming it "aspirin" as what we know today.
BP-Willow Bark Extract is an aqueous extract made from the freshly harvested bark of the Salicaceac and genus salix species of willow trees typically containing approximately 10% natural salicylates comprised of salicylic acid,
salicin, salicortin, fragilin, populin, traiandrin, vimalin, tannins, beneficial flavonoids, and some minerals, acting synergistically as an analgesic on the skin and as a way to deliver naturally-derived salicylic acid.
Moreover, they fermented glucose, fructose, mannose, mannitol, sucrose, sorbitol and xylose without gas production but not ferment arabinose, inositol, lactose, maltose,
salicin, dulcitol and raffinose.
It is renowned to contain numerous secondary metabolite such as alkaloids (ipecac and benzopyridoquinolizidine), flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, tannins, phenolic resin glycosides, oil, alangine, lamarckinine, salviifosides A-C,
salicin, kaempferol, and kaempferol 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside.
Anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant assets of the major components (
salicin, amentoflavone, and chlorogenic acid) and the extracts of Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana and their total phenol and flavonoid contents.
Also, fermentation test of
salicin, trehalose, sorbose, ornithine decarboxylase, inositol, and xylose was performed [16].
Lorensi et al., "Toxicological effects of a mixture used in weight loss products: p-synephrine associated with ephedrine,
salicin, and caffeine," International Journal of Toxicology, vol.
Beavers are fond of willow bark, which contains a chemical called
salicin. This is secreted from their glands as castoreum, which contains salicylic acid, a basic ingredient of aspirin.
Feverfew contains parthenolide, which potently inhibits NF-kB, which trigger migraines, while willow bark contains a chemical similar to aspirin (
salicin).
I recommend Babylon weeping willow {Salix babylonica, Zones 5 to 9) as the best-ever waterside tree, and the
salicin in its bark is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.