The Enoch Times

"One man's meat is another man's poison" - Proverb.

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Pain Relief

Pain Relief

Salicylate

The name salicylic acid is derived from the Latin name for the Willow tree - Salix. Willow, along with the herb Meadowsweet, is well known as the original source of salicylic acid (the precursor to original aspirin).  White willow (Salix alba) is a large tree that grows in Central and Southern Europe, Asia, and North America.  There are over 300 species of willow, but only several species are used medicinally: white willow (S. alba), purple willow (S. purpurea), violet willow (S. daphnoides), and crack willow (S. fragilis).
Salicin occur naturally in many plants, including many fruits vegetables, and herbs. Plants under stress emit methyl salicylate as a defense mechanism. The release of methyl salicylate helps to kill the herbivorous insects, protecting the plant against diseases, insects, fungi, and harmful bacteria before it becomes visibly diseased.
Notably, salicin in its natural form is relatively harmless. Pain sufferers have been returning to the natural sources of salicin to avoid the potentially dangerous side effects of the commercially prepared synthetic aspirin.

Daily occurence
Generally speaking, raw foods likely contain more salicylate than cooked foods. Salicylates are most concentrated just under the skin of certain fruits and vegetables, and in the outer leaves of vegetables. Salicylate content decreases as a food ripens.Thus, people with salicylate sensitivity would be better off to consume the following in a very ripe, peeled or cooked form:

Mint flavouring in commercial products is usually a methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate is used in some kinds of chewing gum and candy, as an alternative to the more common peppermint and spearmint oils. Toothpastes contain hidden mint flavour even if it is not listed.
Aspirin is prepared by the acetylation of salicylic acid. As aspirin has been linked to incidences of Reye’s Syndrome (a disease that affects all organs including causing swelling of the brain and liver) in children, the use of aspirin during flu and viral illnesses should be avoided for all children.

Symptoms of salicylate sensitivity

In rare cases, sensitivity to salicylate can cause symptoms of anaphylactic shock.

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DISCLAIMER
Information presented in The Enoch Times is based on the traditional and historic use or legend of the herb and is meant as an educational starting point only. While this website makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information it contains, The Enoch Times is not engaged in rendering medical advice. Herbs, like any medication, can cause adverse reaction in some people. Do not use these methods without first contacting your medical doctor.