Salix species / Wilg

Salix species / Wilgensoorten / monografie

Gebruikte delen

Voor geneeskundige doeleinden verzamelt men in maart de schors van 2 tot 4 jaar oude takken. In die takken maakt men insnijdingen om de schors te kunnen los kloppen. Die schors wordt dan in de zon gedroogd om vervolgens tot geneesmiddel te verwerken. De gedroogde schors smaakt erg bitter en bevat veel salicine.

Volksgeneeskunde

De geneeskrachtige eigenschappen van de wilg zijn al sinds de Oudheid bekend. In het verleden gebruikte men niet zoals tegenwoordig de schors, maar de bladeren. In de traditionele volksgeneeskunde paste men het blad van de schietwilg voor bij de behandeling van koorts, kiespijn, koliekpijnen, hoofdpijn en andere aandoeningen met een “hitte”-component. Men zette bijvoorbeeld thee van de bladeren, welke uiterst onaangenaam smaakt. Geneesheren schreven de schietwilg het meest voor bij reumatische aandoeningen met ontstekingen en pijn, bij jicht en bij griep of luchtwegcatarren. Tegen roos nam men aftreksels van het blad. Culpeper schreef in 1653 over de plant “de bladeren houden de hitte van de lust in man en vrouw tegen en doven deze als ze te lang gebruikt worden; de zaden hebben dezelfde uitwerking”.

Het was een van de eerste geneeskrachtige planten waar wetenschappers onderzoek naar deden. In de 19e eeuw kon de Franse chemicus Leroux als eerste een werkzame stof identificeren en hij noemde deze stof salicine. In 1852 lukte het chemici salicine synthetisch te bereiden, vanaf 1899 volgde daar een minder maagslijmvlies irriterende en beter smakende variant op, het acetylsalicylzuur. Felix Hofman, een chemicus van het Bayerconcern in Duitsland, slaagde er in een nieuw geneesmiddel te vervaardigen en het aspirientje was geboren. Tegenwoordig behoort aspirine tot de groep van meest gebruikte geneesmiddelen.

Werkzame bestanddelen:

Fenolglycosiden als salicine met salicortine (tot 9%), tremulacine (<1%), fragiline, salicoylsalicine, salireposide (0.1-1.2%); salicylaten (1-10%) berekend als salicine (de concentratie is afhankelijk van de soort); looistoffen (8-20%), de concentratie is afhankelijk van het seizoen en de soort; catechinen, syringine, flavonglycosiden als isorhamnetine en quercetine.

Opmerking: de gedroogde bast bevat 4-8% totaal salicine; jonge twijgjes (bast en hout) bevatten dezelfde werkzame bestanddelen als de bast maar in lagere concentraties (<1%)

Werkingsmechanisme

De schietwilg kent een uitgebreid scala aan farmacologische eigenschappen, enkele belangrijke zijn:

De ESCOP noemt in haar monografie van Salix alba als indicaties koortsachtige aandoeningen, symptomatische behandeling van reumatische klachten, verlichting van pijnen en lichte hoofdpijn. 

Het farmacologische werkingsmechanisme van de schietwilg is uitgebreid onderzocht. Er zijn sterke aanwijzingen dat de ontstekingsremmende werking te danken is aan de metabolieten van salicine en tremulacine. Wetenschappers zien salicine als hoofdcomponent. Salicine is een monoglycoside van salicylzuur. Salicylzuur op zich heeft slechts een bescheiden ontstekingsremmende werking. De lever zet salicylzuur echter middels een enzymatische reactie om (converteert het) naar het actievere acetylsalicylzuur. Dit heeft een krachtig ontstekingsremmende en pijnstillende werking heeft. Acetylsalicylzuur heeft wel dezelfde ontstekingsremmende werking als aspirine, maar niet de (gastro-intestinale) bijwerkingen en toxiciteit. Acetylsalicylzuur remt de werking van het enzym cyclo-oxygenase en remt bovendien de productie van ontstekingsbevorderende prostaglandinen.

In een humane studies waar 733 patiënten en vrijwilligers aan deelnamen, bleek dat de deelnemers schorsextracten van de schietwilg bijzonder goed konden verdragen en nauwelijks bijwerkingen had. Andere onderzoeken bevestigden deze goede verdraagzaamheid. Opvallend bij vervolgonderzoeken (zowel dier- als humane studies) is de werkingstijd. De eerste 2 uur na inname treedt nauwelijks enige werkzaamheid op. Daarna stijgt de plasmaconcentratie echter zeer snel, met een piek in het 5e uur. Onderzoekers hebben vastgesteld dat extracten langzaam geëlimineerd worden, de halfwaardetijd is berekend op 2.5 uur. Extracten van de schietwilg worden goed geabsorbeerd. De ontstekingsremmende, pijnstillende, antiseptische, anti-reumatische, anti-pyretische en overige werkingen treden meestal pas 2 uur na inname op. Genoemde werkingen houden ongeveer 5 tot 7 uur aan. Er bestaan extracten van de schietwilg gestandaardiseerd op salicine (1-15%).

CONTRA-INDICATIES

BIJWERKINGEN

Slechts in enkele onderzoeken werd melding gemaakt van lichte bijwerkingen, zoals maag- en darmklachten.

Enkele soorten wilg

Volksgebruik en mythologie

De wilg is symbool van vruchtbaarheid door zijn welige groei, maar ook van ongelukkige liefde, dood en het dodenrijk (treurwilg). De Germaanse god Vidharr woonde in een wilgenbosje. Bij de Kelten is de wilg gewijd aan de godin Cerridwen.

Bij de Grieken staat de wilg in verband met de watermagie van de godin Helige. Helicon was de rivier die rond de Griekse berg Parnassus kronkelde en was gewijd aan de muzen. Zeus en Hera zouden onder een wilg geboren zijn. 

Wilg, van plant tot aspirine

De pijnstillende werking van de wilg is al in de oudheid beschreven. Kleitabletten uit Assyrië en Babylonië bevatten voorschriften met wilgenblad. In Egypte worden in het Nieuwe Rijk vaak wilgen in tuinen aangetroffen. Niet alleen het blad, maar ook de bast wordt bij pijnlijke wonden, ontstekingen en zwellingen gebruikt. Hippokrates past aftreksels van wilgenbast toe om pijn bij de baring te bestrijden. Zijn navolgers van de School van Kos gebruiken het tegen pijnen en koorts. Celsus past een azijnextract van wilgenblad toe tegen een pijnlijke baarmoederverzakking en Dioscorides maakt warme omslagen met wilgenblad en -bast bij reumatische pijnen.

Lees verder 

Willow / Salix

The willows have numerous hybrids and comprise of around 300 species deciduous trees and shrubs that are scattered in both hemispheres of the globe. They are found in the Arctic area to South Africa and even southern Chile. The white willow has an interesting characteristic. Of about 70 of the North American species of the white willow, about 30 grow as trees measuring up to 80 feet, in some other places across the globe they may only grow up to five or seven feet and remain just as shrubs. The white willow bears alternating, lanceolate, pockmarked leaves that are ashy-gray in color and glossy on either side. Another interesting aspect of the white willow is the fact that different trees of the species bear male and female flowers that emerge in catkins on leafy stems simultaneously with the leaves.

The white willow logs have great medicinal benefits. The stimulated charcoal powder of white willow logs burnt in kilns are as efficient in healing poisonings, diarrhea, gas, heartburn and other gastric ailments as are any other drugs sold over the counter for healing these disorders. Blend one teaspoon of white willow log charcoal powder, one teaspoon of crushed ginger root and half a teaspoon of white sugar in a big tumbler of distilled water and drink it to get respite from the above mentioned problems. If needed, go over the process again for relief.

PARTS USED

Bark, leaves.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Basically indigenous to European countries, white willow is now found abundantly in North America as well as in Asia. The tree best thrives in humid areas like riverbanks and can be grown from partially matured cuttings during the summer or from hard wood cuttings during the winter. Normally, the white willow trees are often pollarded and the bark of the tree is shredded during spring from branches of trees that are two to five years old.

RESEARCH

Although scientists have shown very little interest to conduct researches into white willow, they had isolated salicylic acid, a main and vigorous ingredient of white willow way back in 1838. Significantly, salicylic acid was the predecessor of aspirin - a chemical medication that was first manufactured in 1899. Like aspirin, salicylic acid too, has pain killing as well as anti-seditious properties and is beneficial in healing a number of ailments. While salicylic acid restrains production of prostaglandin, provides respite from pains and even produces a comforting effect during fevers. However, unlike aspirin, salicylic acid does not thin the blood and neither does it exasperate the inner lining of the stomach. Hence, it may be concluded that compared to aspirin, while willow is safer to intake.

CONSTITUENTS

White willow contains salicin, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides.

USES

The actions of white willow are very caustic and earlier it was used to stem internal bleeding. In an article published in 1652, Nicholas Culpeper had suggested that physicians use the burnt residues of the white willow bark blended with vinegar to remove warts, corns as well as unnecessary flesh from the body. In fact, the white willow is an outstanding medication to heal arthritic as well as rheumatic pain that have an effect on the back as well as joints like keens and hips. When blended with other aromatic plant extracts and modifications in the dietary systems, while willow acts efficiently to alleviate irritations and enlargements. At the same time, it perks up mobility in sore and rasping joints in the body. Although these days aspirin-based medicines function better and more quickly than white willow, they are known to have bitter side affects. In addition to the above mentioned uses of white willow, it may also be consumed to heal high fevers as well as get relief from headaches or any other kind of pain in the skull. White willow is also useful for women as the herb helps in lowering night sweating and hot flashes through menopause period.

Osteoarthritis

USUAL DOSAGE

Prepare a white willow tea with 1-2 grams of the tree bark boiled in 200 ml of water for about 10 minutes. A person may drink five or more cups of this herbal tea daily. Alternatively, a person may also use a tincture prepared from the herb and normally intake 1-2 ml thrice daily. There are many shops that sell homogeneous white willow extracts containing salicin. For effective results, normally a person may consume 60-120 mg of salicin every day.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

One needs to follow some guidelines and be cautious while using white willow on a long-term basis. Using white willow over a considerable period of time may lead to pain and exasperation in the gastro-intestinal parts of the body. Particularly, like in the instance of aspirin, white willow too must not be administered to children suffering from low fevers. And more importantly, people who are sensitive to aspirin should also avoid white willow. Anyways, long-time usage of white willow is harmful for the body as this may cause the same problems that are associated with the use of aspirin. Generally, like in the case of aspirin, even long-term usage of white willow may lead to stomach ulcers. Nevertheless, white willow is still considered to be a safer remedy than aspirin.

Bark:

Leaves:

INFUSION - infusions prepared from white willow leaves can be consumed following meals with a view to cure digestive problems as well as enhance the digestive process.

CHASE-AWAY-YOUR-PAIN APERITIF

Internetlinks

Over de wilg bij Dodonaeus

Die Wilghe boom wordt gheheeten in Griecx Itea/ In Latijn Salix/ In Hoochduytsch Weydenbaum/ In Franchois Saulx. Ende wordt van Theophrastus by toename ghenaemt Olesicarpos/ dat es in Latijn Frugiperda/ om dat huer cattekens rijsen/ eer dat saet wel rijp es.

1   Dat gheslacht dat tot boom opwast/ wordt gheheeten Salix perticalis.

A   Ende van desen gheslachte dat roode scellen heeft wordt ghenaemt Salix nigra, Salix purpurea ende Salix gallica. In Hoochduytsch rot Weiden/ Hier te lande roode Wilghen/ van sommighen oock Salix viminalis/ om dat die tacxkens taye sijn ende huer beter laten buyghen/ dan van den anderen Wilghen. Ende sonder twijfel dese roode Wilghen sijn een gheslacht met den Wijmen/ want alsmen dese roode Wilghen in neere vochtighe plaetsenplant ende cort by den aerden af hout/ zoo wassen daer Wijmen op.

B   Dat tweede gheslacht met den witten scorssen wordt ghenaemt Salix candida/ ende van sommighen Salix graeca.

C   Tderde met den geelachtighe scorssen Salix vitellina/ ende als sommighen meyen Salix amerina. Ende beyde dese worden in Hoochduytsch genaemt Weisz weiden/ ende hier te lande witte Wilghen.

2   Die cleyne neere Wilghe wordt gheheeten van Theophrastus Helix/ In Latijn Salix pumila ende Salix viminalis/ van Columella Sabina salix ende Amerina salix/ Hier te lande Wijmen/ In Hoochduytsch Klein weiden.

Natuere

Die bladeren bloemen saet ende scorssen van den Wilghen sijn cout ende drooghe tot in den tweeden graedt/ ende tsamen treckende van natueren.

Cracht ende werckinghe

A   Die bladeren ende scorssen van Wilghen/ stelpen dat bloetspouwen/ dat overgheven ende bloetbraken/ ende alle bloetganck/ ende dijsghelijcx oock die overvloedighe natuerlijcke cranckheyt ende die vloet van den vrouwen/ met wijn ghesoden ende ghedroncken.

B   Wilghen bladeren oft scorssen in wijn ghesoden versueten die pijne van den senuwen ende verstercken die selve/ alsmense daer mede stooft.

C   Die gruene bladeren van Wilghen cleyn ghestooten ende ontrent die scamelijcke leden gheleyt doen die quade lusten ende vleeschelijcke begheerten vergaen.

D   Die scorssen van Wilghen tot asschen ghebrant/ ende met azijn vermenght/ doen die wratten weeren ende exterooghen afvallen daer op gheleyt.

Wetenschappelijk onderzoek

Acta Sci. Pol., Hortorum Cultus 12(4) 2013, 31-41 THE CONTENT OF PHENOLIC GLYCOSIDES AND MACROELEMENTS (K, Ca, Mg) IN THE BARK OF HERBAL WILLOWS University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Maria Curie-Skáodowska University in Lublin 

Abstract. The willows with high phenolic glycosides concentrations are used in herbal production. The knowledge about these metabolites are well documented, but less is known about macroelement concentration in the bark of herb willows. The aims of this study were to evaluate the content of phenolic glycosides and macroelements in the bark of Salix alba, S. daphnoides and S. purpurea originating from their natural habitats and

cultivated on the two different soil types. The study was carried out in 2009 and 2010 on a 5–6 year-old plantation. All the species cultivated on the loess soil were characterized by the highest concentration of phenolic glycosides in the bark. The soil type under willow plantation determined both the content of phenolic glycosides and the content of macroelements

in the bark of all the three willow species. Calcium primarily determined the difference in the chemical composition of the bark. Among the species studied, Salix alba was characterized by the highest content of K, Ca and Mg in the bark, compared to the other species studied, irrespective of the soil conditions. 

CONCLUSIONS

1. All the willow species cultivated on the loess soil were characterized by the highest concentration of phenolic glycosides in the bark. The soil type under willow plantation determined both the content of phenolic glycosides and the content of macroelements in the bark of all the three willow species studied.

2. The selected willow clones of S. alba, S. daphnoides and S. purpurea originating from their natural habitats were characterized by an even higher content of phenolic glycosides in the field conditions and can be a good source of quality raw material.

3. Salix alba was characterized by the highest content of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the bark, compared to the other species studied, irrespective of the soil conditions. The bark of this species is rich in calcium. Among the macroelements studied, calcium primarily determined the difference in the chemical composition of the bark. 

Phytother Res. 2006 Jun;20(6):479-83.Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Salix caprea flowers.Alam MS1, Kaur G, Jabbar Z, Javed K, Athar M.

The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of an ethanol extract of Salix caprea L. (Salicaceae) flowers. The extract was found to possess a large amount of polyphenols and also exhibited a high reducing ability. The extract significantly and dose dependently scavenged DPPH, superoxide (O(2) (*-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and nitric oxide (NO). At a concentration of 250 microg/mL, 85.04% of DPPH radicals and at 500 microg/mL 45.97%, 17.97% and 56.53% of O(2) (*-), H(2)O(2) and NO, respectively, were scavenged by the S. caprea flower extract. A significant amount of protection was also afforded by the extract in the acute oxidative tissue injury animal model constituted by ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. An intraperitoneal administration of FeNTA at a dose of 9 mg/kg of body weight caused an elevation in hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) to 176.90% and a suppression in hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) to 46.49%, 64.37%, 41.71% and 48.76%, respectively, of the saline treated control. The pretreatment of mice with S. caprea flower extract at a dose range of 50-150 mg/kg of body weight for 7 days followed by FeNTA treatment caused preservation of all these parameters. The present study indicates that the flowers of S. caprea possess a significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective property, the former being implicated in the latter.


Clin Drug Investig. 2006;26(5):287-96. Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL) combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study. Shrivastava R1, Pechadre JC, John GW.

Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) has been used traditionally to treat migraine, and although its mechanism of action is not fully understood, serotonin 5-HT receptor blocking effects have been suggested. T. parthenium and Salix alba (white willow) either alone or in combination (Mig-RL) were recently shown to inhibit binding to 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors; T. parthenium failed to recognise 5-HT(1D) receptors, whereas S. alba or the combination did. It was hypothesised that S. alba in combination with T. parthenium may provide superior migraine prophylactic activity compared with T. parthenium alone.

METHODS:

A prospective, open-label study was performed in 12 patients diagnosed with migraine without aura. Twelve weeks' treatment with T. parthenium 300 mg plus S. alba 300 mg (Mig-RL) twice daily was administered to determine the effects of therapy on migraine attack frequency (primary efficacy criterion), intensity and duration (secondary efficacy criteria), and quality of life, together with tolerability for patients.

RESULTS:

Attack frequency was reduced by 57.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.029) and by 61.7% at 12 weeks (p < 0.025) in nine of ten patients, with 70% patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack intensity was reduced by 38.7% at 6 weeks (p < 0.005) and by 62.6% at 12 weeks (p < 0.004) in ten of ten patients, with 70% of patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack duration decreased by 67.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.001) and by 76.2% at 12 weeks (p < 0.001) in ten of ten patients. Two patients were excluded for reasons unrelated to treatment. Self-assessed general health, physical performance, memory and anxiety also improved by the end of the study. Mig-RL treatment was well tolerated and no adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION:

The remarkable efficacy of Mig-RL in not only reducing the frequency of migraine attacks but also their pain intensity and duration in this trial warrants further investigation of this therapy in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled investigation involving a larger patient population.

5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) of serotonine is een monoamine dat gesynthetiseerd wordt door het lichaam, door het aminozuur tryptofaan om te zetten met behulp van enzymen tot serotonine. Serotonine kan niet door de bloed-hersenbarrière en wordt in de hersenen gemaakt. Voor deze synthese van serotonine is het volledig afhankelijk van de aanvoer van tryptofaan en 5-HTP. Tryptofaan komt onder andere voor in kikkererwten, melk, bananen en chocolade.


In-vitro anti inflammatory activity of Salix caprea Linn. (goat willow) by HRBC membrane stabilization method by: Ajaz Ahmed, Wajahat A. Shah, Seema Akbar, Dinesh Kumar, Vijender Kumar, Mohammad Younis. Journal of Pharmacy Research, Vol. 4, No. 4. (2011), pp. 1067-1068 

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Salix caprea L. is belonging to family Salicaceae and commonly known as goat willow. Salix caprea is a common species of willow native to Europe and western and central Asia. It is a folkloric medicinal plant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, various hemorrhages, gout, neuralgia and intestinal diseases. It is also used as an antipyretic, analgesic, antibacterial, haemostatic, sedative and anthelmintic agent. Aim of study: The present work aims to evaluate the anti inflammatory activity of salix caprea flower by HRBC membrane stabilization method. Materials and methods: Flowers of Salix caprea were powdered and successively extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, hydro alcohol and aqueous extracts. These extracts were subjected to identify the anti-inflammatory potential of Salix caprea by HRBC membrane stabilization method. Results: The prevention of hypotonicity induced HRBC membrane lysis was taken as a measure for the anti inflammatory activity. The percentage protection of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, hydroalcohol and aqueous extracts were 45.57, 61.10, 66.79, 60.49, 68.39% at 400μg/ml respectively and Diclofenac sodium hold the percentage protection 77.39% at 200μg/ml. Conclusion: Salix caprea holds the promising anti-inflammatory activity. The hydroalcohalic, methanolic extracts showed most and aqueous, ethyl acetate extracts showed intermediate while petroleum ether extract showed least percentage protection as compared to Diclofenac sodium.


Botanical Extracts from Rosehip (Rosa canina), Willow Bark (Salix alba), and Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica) Suppress IL-1β-Induced NF-κB Activation in Canine Articular Chondrocytes. Mehdi Shakibaei, 1 David Allaway, 2 Simone Nebrich, 1 and Ali Mobasheri 3 ,*

The aim of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory mode of action of botanical extracts from rosehip (Rosa canina), willow bark (Salix alba), and nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) in an in vitro model of primary canine articular chondrocytes. Methods. The biological effects of the botanical extracts were studied in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β for up to 72 h. Expression of collagen type II, cartilage-specific proteoglycan (CSPG), β1-integrin, SOX-9, COX-2, and MMP-9 and MMP-13 was examined by western blotting. Results. The botanical extracts suppressed IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation by inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation, and p65 nuclear translocation. These events correlated with downregulation of NF-κB targets including COX-2 and MMPs. The extracts also reversed the IL-1β-induced downregulation of collagen type II, CSPG, β1-integrin, and cartilage-specific transcription factor SOX-9 protein expression. In high-density cultures botanical extracts stimulated new cartilage formation even in the presence of IL-1β. Conclusions. Botanical extracts exerted anti-inflammatory and anabolic effects on chondrocytes. The observed reduction of IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation suggests that further studies are warranted to demonstrate the effectiveness of plant extracts in the treatment of OA and other conditions in which NF-κB plays pathophysiological roles.

https://www.goldenneedleonline.com/library/2012/09/27/botanical-extracts-from-rosehip-rosa-canina-willow-bark-salix-alba-and-nettle-leaf-urtica-dioica-suppress-il-1%CE%B2-induced-nf-%CE%BAb-activation-in-canine-articular-chondrocytes/