The bark of the common Willow tree, also known as the Pussy Willow, is a source of a wide range of phenolic glycosides, the most important being salicin. Willow Bark extract is used like Aspirin, to treat mild fevers, colds, infections (influenza), acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, headaches, and pain caused by inflammation.
In many studies performed in Denmark, this herb has been used with Thermogenic herbs like Ephedra to document its effectiveness in weight loss. This Aspirin and Aspirin-like compound containing herb has been extensively studied and has established its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting bioactivities.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a synthetic replacement for salicin, has potentially dangerous gastrointestinal side effects. In its natural form, salicin passes harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract, becoming saligenin and glucose. The saligenin is then converted to salicylic acid in the blood and the liver. The conversion process takes a few hours, so results will not be felt immediately, but are normally sustained for several hours.
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