| |
Directions: As a dietary
supplement, adults take 1 capsule at a time of pain, preferably with plenty
of water, or as
directed by a physician.
Supplement Facts
Serving size: 1 capsule
Amount Per % Daily
Serving Per Container: 30
Serving Value* |
|
Proprietary
Blend |
700mg |
† |
|
White Willow (Salix species)(bark) |
|
|
|
Lobellia (Lobellia inflata)(leaf) |
|
|
Boswellia (standardized to contain 55%
Boswelic Acid) |
|
|
|
(Boswellia serrata)(leaf) |
|
|
*
Percent Daily Values are
based on a 2000 calorie diet.
†
Daily Value not established |
Other
Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate,
Silicon Dioxide, Water.
Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing or currently taking any
medication, consult with a physician prior to use.
Do not exceed suggested
use.
Storage: Store this product in a cool dry place below 30°C
(86°F). Keep out of reach of children.
Active Ingredients
The bark of the stately white willow tree
(Salix alba) has been used in China for centuries as a medicine because of
its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. Early settlers to America found
Native Americans gathering bark from indigenous willow trees for similar
purposes.
The active ingredient in white willow is salicin, which the body converts
into salicylic acid. The first aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) was made from
a different salicin-containing herb--meadowsweet--but works in essentially
the same way. All aspirin is now chemically synthsized. It's not surprising,
then, that white willow bark is often called "herbal aspirin."
Although white willow is the species of willow tree most commonly used for
medicinal purposes, other salicin-rich species are employed as well,
including crack willow (Salix fragilis), purple willow (Salix purpurea), and
violet willow (Salix daphnoides). These all may be sold under the label of
willow bark.
Health Benefits
The salicylic acid in white willow bark lowers the body's levels of
prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that can cause aches, pain, and
inflammation. While white willow bark takes longer to begin acting than
aspirin, its effect may last longer. And, unlike aspirin, it doesn't cause
stomach bleeding or other known adverse effects.
Specifically, white willow bark may help to:
Relieve acute and chronic pain, including Arthritis, Chronic Pain, headache,
back and neck pain, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. The effectiveness of
white willow bark for easing these and other types of discomforts results
from its power to lower prostaglandin levels.
Control arthritis discomforts. Some arthritis sufferers taking white willow
bark have experienced reduced swelling and inflammation, and eventually
increased mobility, in the back, knees, hips, and other joints.
Lobelia (Lobelia inflata):
The herb is named after the botanist Matthias de
Lobel, a native of Lille, who died in London in 1616. The common name
Lobelia also includes the species Lobelia siphilitica, Lobelia cardinalis
and Lobelia chinensis, all of which are used interchangeably with Lobelia
inflata. Lobelia is native to North America, and was both chewed and smoked
by Native Americans. The root of Lobelia was used by the Iroquois Indians to
treat syphilis, hence the species name "siphilitica"
Health Benefits
Lobelia has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for ailments. As one
of the most useful muscle relaxants, Lobelia is rich in vitamin A, vitamin
C, and manganese. An active ingredient in the lobelia plant, lobeline,
stimulates nerves in the central nervous system. Lobelia is considered
beneficial for treating mild depression, reducing inflammation & pain,
easing muscle tension, and calming the nerves.
The primary chemical constituents of this herb include piperidine alkaloids
(lobeline, isolobeline), lobelic acid, chelidonic acid, glycoside (lobelacrin),
essential oil, resins, and fats. The activity of Lobelia is dependent upon a
liquid alkaloid first isolated by Proctor in 1838, who named it "lobeline".
Lobelia also contains gum, resin, chlorophyll, fixed oil, lignin, and salts
of lime & potassium, along with ferric oxide. Lobelia may be used in many
conditions in combination with other herbs to further their effectiveness.
Boswellia, also known as boswellin or "Indian
frankincense," comes from the Boswellia serrata tree that grows in the dry
hills of India. For centuries, traditional Indian healers have taken
advantage of the anti-inflammatory properties of the tree bark's gummy
resin, called salai guggal. Modern preparations made from a purified extract
of this resin and packaged in pill or cream form are used to reduce
inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike
conventional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
ibuprofen--the accepted treatments for joint inflammation--boswellia doesn't
seem to cause stomach irritation. It also may be effective for back pain and
certain chronic intestinal disorders.
Health Benefits
Research has identified specific active
anti-inflammatory ingredients in this herb, which are commonly referred to
as boswellic acids. In animal studies, these acids have been shown to
significantly reduce inflammation in several ways. They deter inflammatory
white cells from infiltrating damaged tissue. They improve blood flow to the
joints. And they also block chemical reactions that set the stage for
inflammation to occur in chronic intestinal disorders such as Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis.
Specifically, boswellia may help to:
Ease osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Boswellia can be
taken internally as well as applied topically to affected joints to relieve
inflammation associated with these joint disorders. This may lessen morning
stiffness and increase joint mobility. In a study of 175 patients with
rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, a crippling joint disease,
122 participants experienced reduced stiffness and inflammation two to four
weeks after starting on a boswellia regimen.
Decrease back pain. Boswellia's anti-inflammatory properties can help to
reduce aching and stiffness, especially when associated with low back pain.
Although research indicates that boswellia is best taken orally for this
purpose, creams appear to be soothing as well.
Control certain inflammatory bowel diseases. Boswellia appears to reduce the
inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, both
painful intestinal disorders. And it seems to accomplish this without the
risk of further gut irritation associated with many conventional pain
relievers. In a 1997 study of ulcerative colitis sufferers, 82% of those who
took boswellia extract (350 mg three times daily) experienced a complete
remission of their disease. |
