Salicin is a natural compound found in the bark of trees, used as an analgesic and antipyretic. It is a precursor for the synthesis of aspirin and is preferred by some people over aspirin due to its lack of undesirable side effects.
Salicin is a natural compound found in the bark of several species of trees, mainly of North American origin, which belong to the willow, poplar and aspen families. The white willow, from whose Latin name, Salix alba, derives the term salicina, is the best known source of this compound, but it is found in a number of other trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, as well as commercially synthesized. It is a member of the glucoside family of chemicals and is used as an analgesic and antipyretic. Salicin is used as a precursor for the synthesis of salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin.
A colorless, crystalline solid in its pure form, salicin has the chemical formula C13H18O7. Part of its chemical structure is equivalent to the sugar glucose, which means it is classified as a glucoside. It is soluble, but not strongly, in water and alcohol. Salicin has a bitter taste and is a natural pain reliever and antipyretic, or fever reducer. In large quantities, it can be toxic, and overdose can lead to liver and kidney damage. In its raw form, it can be mildly irritating to the skin, respiratory organs, and eyes.
For centuries, salicin has been used to relieve minor aches and pains, especially those caused by inflammation, to help reduce minor fevers, and as a gastric stimulant. White willow bark extract had long been known to possess such qualities, but it was not known until the 19th century that salicin was the active compound producing these effects. Today, processed white willow bark extract is standardized to a consistent content, usually 8% by weight. Willow bark extracts are available in shops that sell herbal remedies and are not usually found in more traditional shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies. It is, however, preferred by some people over aspirin.
Salicin was first used to make aspirin, with which it shares many similarities. Both substances, when metabolized in the human body, are partially reduced to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has been studied and found to be an inferior alternative to salicin. Aspirin was developed in an attempt to create a similar but more effective compound. Salicin acts much like aspirin but does not have the undesirable side effects that are sometimes associated with aspirin, including stomach upset and a little-known but well-documented connection with Reye’s syndrome, a dangerous and potentially fatal disease that it usually occurs in children.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
