Do Willow Trees Prevent Cancer

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Do Willow Trees Prevent Cancer?
Garry Duthie
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Edwin Smith papyrus 3500 year old medical
textbook
Willow bark and leaves used for pain relief and
to reduce inflammation
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Willow as a medicine was widely used in ancient
times!
Hippocrates
Galen
500BC
200AD
Gladiators were given it for pain relief and to
reduce swelling and inflammation
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1828 Isolation of active ingredient
Salicylic acid

• We know it as ASPIRIN
• Most widely used drug in world
• 1 trillion used to date ie 1000000000000000000
  !

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In addition to pain relief, recent studies
indicate that a daily aspirin might prevent bowel
cancer

• Bowel cancer is a major killer
• But taking an aspirin each day can cause internal
  bleeding
• So is there a another way to get protection?

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As well as willow, we have found that many fruit
and vegetables also contain salicylic acid!
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Fruit and vegetables are good for you because
they contain vitamins, minerals and fibre.
They also provide salicylic acid without side
effects!
Salicylic acid
Prevents bowel cancer
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So thanks to the ancient Egyptians and willow,
there is now yet another reason to eat lots of
fruit and vegetables!