Commonly known as treatment for pain and fever, willow bark has been used in China since 500 BC. However, in Europe, it was used for a very different purpose. Willow bark was used in removing warts, stopping vomiting, and suppressing sexual desire. Nowadays, in one particular aspect, its scope has expanded. Willow bark (Salix alba) to treat anal fissure is a relatively new practice, but with promising result.
What is Anal Fissure?
Anal fissure is a small tear in the thin tissue that lines the anus. It causes bleeding and pain. Many people may not be familiar with this condition. It affects an individual’s bowel movement because it causes severe pain that can be described like cuts made by a knife whenever taking a bowel or even after it. Even after healing, there is another a chance for anal fissure to happen. If the condition is not diagnosed earlier, complications might arise, requiring surgery. However, many affected individuals with mild cases are advised to take lifestyle changes to prevent the reoccurrence of the condition.
Anal fissure can be caused by the following:
- -Straining during bowel movements due to constipation
- -Passing of large or hard stools
- -Inflammatory bowel disease
- -Childbirth
- -Chronic diarrhea
However, there are also other causes of anal fissure but are less common such as HIV, herpes, tuberculosis, anal cancer, and syphilis. That is why it is important to learn more about anal fissure and how to treat it.
Willow Bark Treatment
Even with the lifestyle changes, in some practices, using natural remedies can help in the healing of the tissue tear. The use of willow bark (Salix alba) to treat anal fissure can be an effective remedy for the pain. It is known that the white willow has certain properties that eases aches and pains. Similar to the use of essential oil that are put around the affected area, this too can lessen the discomfort during the healing period.
Aside from this feature, willow bark is also known to be an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, immune booster, and anti-oxidant. These certain elements can help an individual recover from the tear because it limits the chances for infection and complication. Aside from the pain, the tear would have an open wound and the anal fissure also causes spasms. With these considerations, the medicinal elements of the willow bark are cited as important factors for its effectiveness in treating anal fissure.
According to researchers, the healing properties of willow bark can be associated to its chemical salicin. However, it is not solely responsible because further studies can show that other components such as polyphenols and flavonoids also have immune boosting, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties.
Though this natural remedy still needs longer time to be studied there are certain medications that can be suggested by professional medical practitioners. One is the application of nitroglycerin which increases the blood flow to the affected area and help in the healing. This also relaxes the anal sphincter. However, headache can be a side effect.
Next are steroid creams to relieve discomfort and Botox injection to relax spasms. Lastly, blood pressure medications can also be used to help lessen the strain in the anal sphincter.
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