Otitis

Willow is a natural aspirin. Natural aspirin: a natural pain reliever

In the good old days, aspirin was considered almost a panacea for many diseases. Moreover, the price and availability of the drug still suits the wallets of most patients. IN fiction and in cinema more than once we have come across a phrase where young ladies ask for aspirin for a headache.

Application

Really, aspirin is a widely used drug. It helps not only against migraines (), but is also indicated for viral diseases, high temperature body, toothache. Aspirin has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and blood thinning effects.

For patients prone to aspirin cardio, a more purified drug. It prevents blood clots from blocking blood vessels, thereby protecting people from heart attacks and strokes. The blood thins out and moves freely through the vessels.

But, unfortunately, the drug also has its drawbacks.

Negative effects of aspirin on the body

Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid, which negatively affects the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Under its influence, erosions and ulcers form on the surface of the mucous membranes. That's why the drug is always taken only after meals.

Sometimes minor stomach bleeding occurs under the influence of aspirin.

In some cases, aspirin causes bronchospasm. It happens that the doctor cannot understand the cause of bronchospasm, and the patient’s story about taking this medicine, in some cases, helps to correctly diagnose and solve the problem. There is even such a term - aspirin bronchial asthma .

Acetylsalicylic acid may cause allergic reactions on the skin, and also have a detrimental effect on the cells of the liver and kidneys, especially when a person already has disorders in these organs.

But nothing is impossible, nature always takes care of living beings, and in her chest there will definitely be aspirin substitutes.

Safe herbal analogues of aspirin

Yellow clover

Lebeychuk Natalia Vladimirovna, phytotherapist and homeopath ©

It is no coincidence that meadowsweet in Russia is called “magpie-supply” - it is believed that it is medicinal plant helps against forty ailments.
Perhaps, since ancient times, it was not so much accurate knowledge as an intuitive feeling of healing qualities that was the main reason for such a respectful attitude of our ancestors towards this amazing plant...

Meadowsweet – “natural aspirin”

In 1828, the Munich pharmacist Johann Büchner isolated the anti-inflammatory substance salicin from the bark, and upon hydrolysis of it they obtained salicylic acid. In 1838, the Italian chemist R. Piria isolated spireic acid from meadowsweet (Spiraea vinosa), which turned out to be a derivative of salicylic acid. It turned out that there is a lot of salicylic acid in meadowsweet (Spiraea salicifolia). And then Felix Hofmann, an employee of the German company Bayer, developed the technology organic synthesis acetylsalicylic acid, commercially known as aspirin. This name is made up of two parts: “a” - from acetyl and “spira” - from spirea (Spiraea). So in 1899, a new medicine entered the market with the registered trademark Aspirin (R). Thanks to German doctors Kurt Witthaur and Julius Wolgemuth, who showed its effectiveness in treating strokes, aspirin has become one of the most common medications.

Aspirin and its derivatives are now included in more than 400 over-the-counter medications used to treat headaches and arthritis. For example, in the USA up to 20 tons of aspirin are consumed annually. Has universal medicinal qualities and widespread in medicine, they give reason to call aspirin one of the most popular modern medicines.

A drug with more than a century-long reputation as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic is widely used for feverish, headaches, neuralgia and rheumatism. Clinical studies showed that daily intake of small doses of aspirin prevents insufficient blood supply to the heart and reduces the risk of stroke. Aspirin is used for thrombophlebitis, prevents blood clotting and the formation of postoperative blood clots, relieves angina attacks during coronary disease hearts.

Aspirin blocks the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances involved in inflammation, platelet aggregation, and increased permeability blood vessels and contribute to an increase in body temperature. In addition, aspirin suppresses pain sensitivity.
It is believed that regularly taking aspirin can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and reduce the likelihood of a heart attack. The anti-inflammatory effect of aspirin is caused by a decrease in permeability capillary vessels, and antipyretic - by influencing the thermoregulation centers of the body.

It also appears that painkillers (such as aspirin) may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, or senile dementia. Aspirin inhibits the formation amyloid plaques in the brain, leading to the development of senile dementia.
Aspirin may slow vision loss in diabetes.

Doctors believe that taking aspirin in small doses has a beneficial effect on pregnancy. British doctors have found that women who took small doses of aspirin during pregnancy are less likely to give birth to stillbirths and have fewer miscarriages.

But pure aspirin, when interacting with water, can worsen the condition of those suffering from stomach ulcers and duodenum and even provoke gastrointestinal bleeding.
In meadowsweet, aspirin is in a glycosylated form (I deliberately use this difficult-to-understand term for people far from medicine and biology to emphasize: “natural aspirin” does not cause such complications as a molecule of a pure substance). Slowly breaking down in the intestines, “meadowsweet aspirin” has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect without complications. Moreover, meadowsweet extracts reduce the formation of experimental erosions and ulcers in the stomach.

Modern research into the medicinal properties of meadowsweet

Meadowsweet continues to interest pharmacologists. Recently, diterpene alkaloids, called spiramins and spiratins, have been isolated from the seeds and roots of meadowsweet. Their action is similar to camphor and caffeine, but their use does not cause an increase in blood pressure. Scientists believe that spiramins protect brain cells from oxygen starvation.
But not a single component of meadowsweet can compare in total activity with the whole plant.

From Japanese species of meadowsweet, scientists have isolated substances that prevent the formation of blood clots.

Modern research has proven that it was not in vain that our ancestors used meadowsweet as a tonic, effectively relieving fatigue, healing drink!
By the way, Canadian Indians also used a decoction of meadowsweet as a tonic drink, calling this plant “muskrat bush.” They also used meadowsweet as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic.

Meadowsweet in medicine

In modern scientific medicine Russia uses only one type of meadowsweet - meadowsweet, or filipendula vyazolifolia (Filipendula ulmaria). Meadowsweet flowers are allowed by the Ministry of Health (decision of December 14, 1984) to clinical application for the treatment of inflammatory and destructive diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. In Germany, this remedy is used under the name "flos Spiraeae" as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic.

The underground part of the meadowsweet is used in homeopathy for gout, rheumatism, and skin diseases. In countries Western Europe it is used as a tonic, diuretic and antihemorrhoidal agent.
The underground and aboveground parts of meadowsweet are used as a decoction for dysentery and malignant tumors. This decoction exhibits antiulcer activity and has calming properties. And the tannins in the decoction have a bactericidal effect.

In Russia and Western European countries, the underground and aboveground parts (including flowers) of meadowsweet are used as an antispastic and astringent for gastrointestinal diseases, wound healing, diaphoretic, for epilepsy, rheumatism, gout, kidney diseases and urinary tract, in the form of enemas for leucorrhoea. The underground parts of meadowsweet and flowers are used to prepare decoctions for nervous diseases, hypertension, as an anthelmintic in powder form, for a runny nose. Meadowsweet tincture is effective for trophic ulcers lower limbs, wounds, burns; it reduces swelling.

Scientists have found that meadowsweet is a storehouse of antioxidants. They protect the cell membrane from toxic substances, electromagnetic fields, and radioactive radiation. A deficiency of antioxidants leads to premature aging and the development of serious diseases.

Many peoples use meadowsweet flowers as a healing substitute for tea. Prepared from the above-ground parts of the plant and flowers medicinal decoctions and infusions that are used as a diuretic, as well as for fever and colds.
In Belarus, meadowsweet flower powder is used to treat eczema.

A decoction of meadowsweet flowers has a vascular-strengthening, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiulcer, stress-protective, hypoglycemic, sedative effect, and has a positive effect on the production and exercise of conditioned reflexes, stimulates intestinal function, increases the antitoxic function of the liver, accelerates the regeneration of the skin and gastric mucosa. The plant has been found to have a beneficial effect on intestinal atony and tachycardia.

Research recent years showed that preparations from meadowsweet flowers have a calming and anticonvulsant effect on the central nervous system, reduce capillary permeability. They treat rheumatism, colds, and arthralgia well. Similar action have preparations from the roots of the plant.
Infusions of meadowsweet herb exhibit a pronounced anticoagulant and antidiabetic effect.

Meadowsweet flowers are widely used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, wound-healing, antimicrobial and sedative, for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and urinary tract, upper respiratory tract, rheumatism, epilepsy and other nervous diseases. Tannins meadowsweet inhibits the development of esophageal cancer and bladder. A decoction of meadowsweet flowers exhibits antidiabetic activity.

Substances that prevent the formation of blood clots were found in extracts of meadowsweet flowers and seeds (moreover, the activity of the flower extract is more pronounced). Preparations prepared from dried meadowsweet flowers contain heparin-like substances that have anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties comparable to heparin complexes of animal origin.

In homeopathy, preparations from meadowsweet are used for washing festering wounds, for enemas for persistent diarrhea, as lotions for ulcers and boils (in this case, it is recommended to mix meadowsweet equally with the meadowsweet). Also, preparations from meadowsweet are used for dropsy, hydrophobia, sore throat and aches. The root is more effective than the herb.

Meadowsweet (mostly the root) contains methyl salicylic acid essential oil and can replace special medical drug Methyl salicylate, produced by the pharmaceutical industry (in the form of oil, ointment, and also in liquid form under the names: Saliment, Kapsin, Bombenge and Sanitas balm). This drug is widely used in scientific medicine for rubbing muscles and joints affected by rheumatism.

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Each of us, at least once in our lives, took aspirin tablets. Aspirin is taken for colds and flu, as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent, and used for toothaches and headaches. If patients are prone to thrombosis, they are often prescribed long courses of aspirin as a blood thinner.

Since time immemorial it has been known that the bark of some trees has healing properties to reduce fever, pain and inflammation. And the special ingredient contained in this bark is one of the most powerful painkillers in nature.

Fever, muscle pain, arthrosis, headache, women's pain and spasms, arthritis and inflammation, including bursitis, tendinitis, and injuries such as sprains - all of which can be treated with a dose of natural salicin obtained from the bark of these trees.

In the 19th century, scientists were able to extract and identify salicin from tree bark as a potent painkiller, and then developed and marketed a synthetic version, acetylsalicylic acid, which we now know as “aspirin.”

Aspirin is the most widely used drug in the world. In fact, about 40 million kilograms of aspirin are consumed worldwide every year.

And everything would be fine if not SIDE EFFECTS , which appear precisely when long-term use this synthetic drug.

— Acetylsalicylic acid delivers its first blow to gastrointestinal tract, dissolving protective mucus.

As a result, numerous superficial ulcers appear on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Often they do not hurt, and the patient may not know about them for a long time. Then these ulcers slowly begin to bleed...

— The second blow with long-term consumption of drugs with acetylsalicylic acid is applied to the bronchi: they become prone to spasms. In the USA, even diagnoses of “aspirin peptic ulcer" and "aspirin-induced bronchial asthma."

Also, synthesized acetylsalicylic acid can cause allergic reactions, damage to liver and kidney cells.

You can avoid all this and at the same time protect yourself from blood thickening and blood clots. And tree bark and some medicinal plants.

TREES CONTAINING SALICIN

Salicin is part of the inner bark (phloem, bast layer) of trees and shrubs of the willow family:

*Aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides)
*Coarse poplar (Populus grandidentata)
*White willow, willow, white willow (Salix alba)
*Black willow (Salix nigra)
*Brattle willow, or broom (Salix fragilis)
*Purple willow (Salix purpurea)
*Babylonian willow (Salix babylonica)

But since Poplar is the most common tree, it was taken as a basis.

HOW TO MAKE ASPIRIN FROM BARK

Poplars are pioneers among trees. In areas with disturbed ecology, these trees take root first and develop faster than other species and can grow to a height of 3 meters or more in one season.

The salicin you are looking for is found in the inner bark of the tree. The inner bark is actually the living tissue of the plant and is found between the outer, rough bark and the hardwood.

In spring and early summer, the bark is easily removed. It can be chewed directly or made into a tea by soaking the bark in hot water.

At other times of the year, you may not be able to peel the bark without extra effort. This will make it easier to scrape the outer and inner bark at the same time using the sharp edges of a knife.

The smell and taste of poplar bark is very similar to aspirin. You can chew a handful of bark and swallow the liquid. If you don't like chewing, boil about two teaspoons of the inner bark in a cup of water for ten minutes. Let the drink cool slightly before drinking.

PLANTS AND HERBS CONTAINING SALICYLATES OR OTHER SUBSTANCES WITH SIMILAR EFFECTS ON THE BODY

WILLOW

Basically, white willow bark is harvested during the period of sap flow, when it is easily separated. For treatment, bark only from young 2-3-year-old branches is suitable.
Willow bark contains the glycoside salicin. When it enters the human body (in the form of an infusion, decoction or tincture), salicylic acid is released from this glycoside, which acts like aspirin, which is why willow bark is considered natural aspirin.

Side effects in willow bark they manifest themselves to a much lesser extent than in aspirin.
Preparations from the bark are used for colds and flu as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory agent, for headaches and rheumatism, arthritis, as well as for menopause from hot flashes. It is recommended to use it after 50, if only because it protects against heart attack. The anthelmintic effect of white willow bark is known.

WILLOW BARK DECOTION: 2 tbsp. l. bark pour 2 tbsp. water, simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes. Take 1-2 tbsp. spoons 3-4 times a day. A decoction of aspen bark and black poplar bark is prepared in a similar way.

The decoction is used externally for baths - it relieves muscle fatigue.
Use the concentrated decoction externally for skin diseases, furunculosis, sweating feet, hair loss.

Those who decide to use willow bark simply for prevention should note that it contains estriol - female hormone, and therefore her drugs reduce libido. Also, large doses of willow bark decoction “fix” the stomach.

RASPBERRY

Tea with raspberries or raspberry leaves is one of the first remedies for colds and flu.
However, it is not advisable to combine drinking tea with raspberry jam with taking aspirin. This may cause weakness and dizziness.

Raspberries contain substances that lower cholesterol levels and cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins.

Scientists have found that raspberries contain substances that accelerate blood renewal.
And yet, the main wealth of this berry can be called salicylic acid, which can cope with bacteria and has an antipyretic effect.

Raspberries have one interesting feature: other berries lose most of their content when cooked useful substances, and raspberry jam, on the contrary, copes with colds even better than fresh berries. They have the same effect dried berries raspberries

Meadowsweet (Meadowsweet)

Another miracle plant with high content salicin glycoside.

Tea with meadowsweet helps with flu and colds, reduces fever and relieves inflammation. Meadowsweet is very good at calming the nervous system and has an analgesic effect.

INSTRUCTION: 1 tbsp. spoon for 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, drink 150 ml warm 3-4 times a day. You can add honey.

CLOLITOR YELLOW

Infusion and tincture from the herb yellow sweet clover is one of the most effective means in the treatment of thrombophlebitis. It must be used with great caution, as the plant is very potent.

INSTRUCTION: 2 teaspoons of sweet clover, pour into a jar, and fill half a liter boiled water(boiling water). Close the lid and leave for one hour. Drink one third of a glass 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 21 days, after which a break of 2–3 weeks is required.

OTHER PLANTS INSTEAD OF ASPIRIN:
MEADOW CLOVER, TILLED CLOVER, CRANBERRY, YELLOW BEDSTAWN, CHAMOMILE, ASPEN (buds, bark), FOREST STRAWBERRY (grass with roots and flowers), LINDEN (leaves and flowers).

based on materials from Lyubodar and VK

Ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid preparations makes the blood more fluid, prevents the formation of blood clots and blockages in blood vessels and, thereby, serves as a prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
And everything would be fine if it weren’t for the SIDE EFFECTS that appear with long-term use of this synthetic drug.

Acetylsalicylic acid delivers its first blow to the gastrointestinal tract, dissolving protective mucus.
As a result, numerous superficial ulcers appear on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Often they do not hurt and the patient may not know about them for a long time. Then these ulcers slowly begin to bleed...

The second blow with long-term consumption of drugs with acetylsalicylic acid is applied to the bronchi: they become prone to spasms. In the USA, even the diagnoses of “aspirin-induced peptic ulcer” and “aspirin-induced bronchial asthma” appeared.
Also, synthesized acetylsalicylic acid can cause allergic reactions, damage to liver and kidney cells.

You can avoid all this and at the same time protect yourself from blood thickening and blood clots. And medicinal plants can help with this.

PLANTS AND HERBS CONTAINING SALICYLATES OR OTHER SUBSTANCES WITH SIMILAR EFFECTS ON THE BODY

WILLOW
Basically, white willow bark is harvested during the period of sap flow, when it is easily separated. For treatment, bark only from young 2-3-year-old branches is suitable.
Willow bark contains the glycoside salicin. When it enters the human body (in the form of an infusion, decoction or tincture), salicylic acid is released from this glycoside, which acts like aspirin, which is why willow bark is considered natural aspirin.
The side effects of willow bark are much less pronounced than those of aspirin.
Preparations from the bark are used for colds and flu as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory agent, for headaches and rheumatism, arthritis, as well as for menopause from hot flashes. It is recommended to use it after 50, if only because it protects against heart attack. The anthelmintic effect of white willow bark is known.

WILLOW BARK DECOTION: 2 tbsp. l. bark pour 2 tbsp. water, simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Take 1-2 tbsp. spoons 3-4 times a day. A decoction of aspen bark and black poplar bark is prepared in a similar way.
Externally, the decoction is used for baths - this relieves muscle fatigue.
Use the concentrated decoction externally for skin diseases, furunculosis, sweating feet, hair loss.
Those who decide to use willow bark simply for prevention should take into account that it contains estriol, a female hormone, and therefore its preparations reduce libido. Also, larger doses of willow bark decoction “fix” the stomach.

RASPBERRY
Tea with raspberries or raspberry leaves is one of the first remedies for colds and flu.
However, it is not advisable to combine drinking tea with raspberry jam with taking aspirin. This may cause weakness and dizziness.
Raspberries contain substances that lower cholesterol and cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins.
Scientists have found that raspberries contain substances that accelerate blood renewal.
And yet, the main wealth of this berry can be called salicylic acid, which can cope with bacteria and has an antipyretic effect.
Raspberries have one interesting feature: when other berries are cooked, they lose most of their beneficial substances, but raspberry jam, on the contrary, copes with colds even better than fresh berries. Dried raspberries have the same effect.

Meadowsweet (Meadowsweet)
Another miracle plant with a high content of salicin glycoside.
Tea with meadowsweet helps with flu and colds, reduces fever and relieves inflammation. Meadowsweet is very good at calming the nervous system and has an analgesic effect.
INSTRUCTION: 1 tbsp. spoon for 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, drink 150 ml warm 3-4 times a day. You can add honey.

CLOLITOR YELLOW
Infusion and tincture from the herb yellow sweet clover is one of the most effective remedies in the treatment of thrombophlebitis. It must be used with great caution, as the plant is very potent.
INSTRUCTION: 2 teaspoons of sweet clover, pour into a jar, and pour half a liter of boiled water (boiling water). Close the lid and leave for one hour. Drink one third of a glass 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 21 days, after which a break of 2-3 weeks is required.

OTHER PLANTS INSTEAD OF ASPIRIN:
MEADOW CLOVER, TILLED CLOVER, CRANBERRY, YELLOW BEDSTAWN, CHAMOMILE, BLACK POPULAR (buds, bark), ASPEN (buds, bark), FOREST STRAWBERRY (grass with roots and flowers), LINDEN (leaves and flowers).