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Posted by Deerhounds on March 06, 2003 at 19:34:27:
In Reply to: Re: Black Jack\'s home!! I\'ve got a med question... posted by KingAndysDad on March 06, 2003 at 15:09:18:
:Interesting studies. Of course, salicin from willow bark is simply the natural form of aspirin, and metabolizes to salicylic acid in the body. And both aspirin and salicin are COX inhibitors as well, primarily COX-1 but also COX-2 to some extent. The only real benefit of salicin over aspirin is the reduction in gastric effects as observed above. I'd rather use aspirin as it is more effective and less toxic, and the purity and dosage is guaranteed. And of course willow bark/salicin will have all the same adverse effects as aspirin, including increased risk of stroke and internal bleeding, and can accelerate the destruction of collagen in the joints. So if you use either one you should also include collagen protective treatments like glucosamine/chondroitan.
I agree. I'm not one who instantly assumes an herb is safer than a drug, especially when the drug risk can be quantified and the herb risk cannot.
There do appear to be - I say APPEAR - some GI protective qualities to the herb white willow bark that are not present in the salicin or aspirin derivatives/synthesized versions. This may account for its lesser (but still significant) GI side effects when compared to Vioxx.
I do believe that COX-2 inhibitors will turn out to have more problems than at first was hoped, whether they are drugs or herbs. If a substance inhibits COX, then it is likely to negatively impact the liver, kidneys, and GI system, regardless of whether it's an herb or a drug. There may be mitigating factors present in whole herbs (as there often are) that will make them safer, but that is not something anyone can say today.
I personally avoid WWB as well as COX-inhibiting drugs, for myself and my dogs. When I had my dog with hip dysplasia I did occasionally give her an Ascriptin when she'd overdone it, but beyond that I always found acupuncture and later, Adequan, were the best for relieving that kind of chronic pain.
I am also currently treating an extremely elderly deerhound who fell off the bed a month or so ago with acupuncture and the homeopathic remedy rhus tox. I am quite impressed with its effect so far, and on the nights she doesn't get it, she's much more restless, constantly shifting positions. Interesting, but of course, anecdotal only. I tried her on Ascriptin and actually, on WWB too, but they both upset her stomach horribly. Deerhounds tend to be sensitive to things like that.
Gotta run, I'm going out to dinner tonight! :D
Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
http://www.caberfeidh.com