Trees Pharmacological

Subscriber-only episode

In this Saturday episode of Talking Trees, we explore the pharmacological potential of trees, focusing on two iconic species: Fraxinus (ash tree) and Salix alba (white willow). Both have long histories in traditional medicine and are now gaining attention in modern pharmacological research.

We discuss:

• The presence of powerful compounds in ash trees such as secoiridoids, flavonoids, and lignans, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects
• The pharmacological profile of white willow, especially its salicin-rich bark, and its applications as a natural source of salicylic acid derivatives
• Scientific studies quantifying phenolic compounds across different parts of these trees—including bark, leaves, and branches
• The role of tree-based compounds in future drug discovery and the growing interest in plant-derived therapeutics
• The importance of sustainable sourcing and continued research into these underexplored biological treasures

Trees are more than landscape features—they are living pharmacies with immense potential for human health.

Background information:

• Fraxinus_A_Plant_with_Versatile_Pharmacological_an.pdf
• Neagu_AndreeaMiruna_art.1.pdf

Buzzsprout

• free episodes without subscription
• all episodes with subscription
• https://talkingtrees.arboristika.cz/

HeroHero

• all episodes with subscription
• https://herohero.co/talkingtrees

Arboricultural academy

• https://arboristickaakademie.cz

Podcast is created using AI tools.

Chapters

• 0:02 Episode Introduction
• 0:46 Hidden World of Tree Extracts
• 1:40 Fraxinus Ash Tree Properties
• 3:44 White Willow Research Findings
• 8:29 Arborists' Role in Medical Research
• 10:40 Closing Thoughts

Transcript

Roger: 0:02

Talking Trees with Lillian Jad. Welcome to Talking Trees. Today we review studies exploring the pharmaceutical potential of fraxinus ash and salix alba white willow. One source details the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of fraxinus, focusing on its mechanisms of action in disease. Another study analyzes various parts of white willow for their phenolic, tannin and salicylic content, using HPLC and UV-VIS spectrophotometry, highlighting its promise as a source of bioactive compounds for natural supplements.

Jad: 0:46

Hey everyone, welcome back. Today we're going to be looking at something that might surprise even seasoned arborists like yourself.

Lilly: 0:55

Oh yeah.

Jad: 0:56

The hidden world of tree extracts.

Lilly: 0:58

Really.

Jad: 0:59

And their potential uses in medicine. Wow, so we're going to be exploring two fascinating research articles, okay, one focused on ash trees, the Fraxinus species, and another on the classic white willow.

Lilly: 1:19

Salix alba. You know it's funny when we think about trees we often think about their you know practical uses lumber shade or their role in the ecosystem, of course. But there's a whole other dimension to these majestic giants. Yeah, A hidden pharmacy waiting to be explored.

Jad: 1:30

Exactly, and the Fraxinus research is a perfect example of that. This genus of ash trees is found all over the world.

Lilly: 1:36

Wow.

Jad: 1:37

And for centuries different cultures have tapped into their medicinal properties.

Lilly: 1:41

That's interesting.

Jad: 1:42

In Pakistan, for instance, they've been traditionally used to treat everything from malaria to pneumonia, but what's really exciting is the sheer range of biological activities that scientists are now uncovering.

Lilly: 1:53

It's fascinating here that fraxinus extracts aren't just showing promise in one specific area. They seem to have a wide range of potential applications. We're typing anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, even neuroprotective properties.

Jad: 2:09

It's almost as if this tree has a superpower for every ailment.

Lilly: 2:13

It's a lot to take in.

Jad: 2:15

It is, it is.

Lilly: 2:16

For example, how does an ash tree extract actually work against cancer?

Jad: 2:20

That's a good question yeah.

Lilly: 2:21

Well, studies have shown that Fraxinus extracts can trigger what's called apoptosis, which is essentially programmed cell death in various types of cancer cells. They've seen this effect in breast cancer cells, leukemia cells and others. It's important to note that this is still early stage research, right, but it's certainly an intriguing area of study for developing natural anti-cancer agents.

Jad: 2:46

That's incredible. So from something as common as an ash tree we might one day derive potent cancer treatments.

Lilly: 2:53

Possibly.

Jad: 2:54

What about the anti-inflammatory property? That's something that could impact a lot of people.

Lilly: 2:58

That's right, and we already see this in action to some degree. Oh really, there's a commercially available herbal medicine called Phytodolar.

Jad: 3:05

Okay.

Lilly: 3:06

Which is based on extracts from Fraxinus Excelsior.

Jad: 3:10

Interesting.

Lilly: 3:10

It's used for pain relief Okay, and is believed to work by suppressing inflammation, much like NSAIDs, those non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs many people use.

Jad: 3:21

Right.

Lilly: 3:21

But what's really interesting is a compound called oluropine, found in Fraxinus rincofila, which has also shown promising anti-inflammatory effects.

Jad: 3:31

So potentially a natural alternative to some common medications. That's huge. And you mentioned antioxidants earlier. Everyone seems to be talking about antioxidants these days. Where does Fraxinus fit into that picture?

Lilly: 3:42

Well, just like many fruits and vegetables, fraxinus species are packed with compounds that combat free radicals Okay, those unstable molecules that can damage our cells, got it. One of the key players in Fraxinus is a compound called Fraxetin.

Jad: 3:57

Fraxetin.

Lilly: 3:57

Which has been shown to protect the liver from damage caused by free radicals. Okay, and, as you know, antioxidants are crucial for overall health. Right, helping us stay resilient against all sorts of cellular wear and tear.

Jad: 4:10

So it's not just about fighting specific diseases, but potentially bolstering our body's natural defenses. It's almost like these trees have a built-in health insurance plan.

Lilly: 4:20

It really is.

Jad: 4:21

Okay, We've covered anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory antioxidant. What about antimicrobial activity?

Lilly: 4:28

This is where things get especially relevant in today's world. Oh really, with the rise of antibiotic resistance, scientists are desperately searching for new ways to combat bacterial infections. Right, and Fraxinus shows some real promise here.

Jad: 4:43

Okay.

Lilly: 4:43

Studies have indicated its ability to fight certain bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, a common culprit in various infections.

Jad: 4:51

Wow, so potentially a natural weapon against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Yeah, this is truly groundbreaking stuff.

Lilly: 4:59

It really is.

Jad: 5:00

And there was one more area you mentioned that really caught my attention Neuroprotective benefits.

Lilly: 5:05

Yeah.

Jad: 5:05

Are you telling me that ash trees could hold the key to protecting our brains?

Lilly: 5:10

It might sound far-fetched, but the research is pointing in that direction. That same compound, olirapin, which we talked about for its anti-inflammatory action, might also play a role in protecting our brains from cognitive decline and even damage caused by certain neurotransmitters.

Jad: 5:28

It's amazing to think that these trees which we interact with so often, hold such potent medicinal secrets.

Lilly: 5:34

Absolutely. This research is just the tip of the iceberg.

Jad: 5:38

Yeah.

Lilly: 5:38

And it makes you wonder what other treasures are hidden within the countless tree species out there.

Jad: 5:44

I know it's incredible.

Lilly: 5:46

But before we get too lost in the force of possibilities, let's shift our focus to another remarkable tree with a long history in medicine.

Jad: 5:55

Okay.

Lilly: 5:55

White willow.

Jad: 5:56

Yes, the classic white willow. I'm sure many of our listeners are familiar with it Right, especially its connection to aspirin.

Lilly: 6:03

Yeah.

Jad: 6:04

But, as we're about to discover, there's a lot more to this tree than meets the eye.

Lilly: 6:08

There really is. It really is remarkable. You know how we can walk by a tree every day and not fully grasp the intricate world happening beneath its bark.

Jad: 6:17

I know it's like we've been so focused on the physical aspects of trees their size, their shade, their beauty that we've overlooked their potential as healers, and this research on white willow really dives into that. Most people know it as the source of aspirin.

Lilly: 6:31

Right.

Jad: 6:32

But this research reveals a much more nuanced picture.

Lilly: 6:35

Right, it's not just about salicin.

Jad: 6:38

Yeah.

Lilly: 6:39

The compound that converts to salicylic acid in our bodies.

Jad: 6:42

Okay.

Lilly: 6:42

The active ingredient in aspirin Right. This research looked at different parts of the white willow the bark, the branches and the leaves to understand their unique chemical compositions.

Jad: 6:53

Okay, I'm hooked. Break it down for us. What did they find?

Lilly: 6:56

Well, as you might expect, the mature bark had the highest concentration of salicin, about 20 milligrams per gram, but what's intriguing is that the leaves had undetectable levels of salicin.

Jad: 7:06

Wow.

Lilly: 7:07

Instead, both the bark and the leaves had similar levels of polyphenols.

Jad: 7:11

Okay.

Lilly: 7:11

Those beneficial compounds we were talking about earlier with ash trees.

Jad: 7:15

Right.

Lilly: 7:15

In fact, they found even higher levels than previously reported in white willow.

Jad: 7:19

Hold on. So different parts of the tree have different medicinal strengths. That almost sounds like nature's way of compartmentalizing a pharmacy.

Lilly: 7:26

It really does. And this research also looked at other compounds like flavones and tannins. They found that young willow leaves had the highest flavone content. Interesting. While bark samples had more tannins than branches, found that young willow leaves had the highest flavone content, while bark samples had more tannins than branches.

Jad: 7:39

This is fascinating, but I have to ask what does all of this actually mean for us? Does it change how we should think about willow trees?

Lilly: 7:46

Absolutely For one. It suggests that different parts of the tree could be used for different purposes. We already know about the bark's pain relieving properties, but now we see the leaves as a potent source of antioxidants and potentially other benefits.

Jad: 8:00

So for an arborist like me, knowing this could influence how I approach pruning or even harvesting from a willow tree. I wouldn't want to just discard something that might have valuable medicinal properties.

Lilly: 8:13

Exactly, and this knowledge could even lead to the development of more sustainable harvesting practices, where we utilize these resources responsibly, without harming the trees or the ecosystem.

Jad: 8:24

That's the ideal scenario, right, living in harmony with nature, utilizing its gifts in a way that benefits both us and the trees.

Lilly: 8:30

Precisely, and it all starts with knowledge, with understanding the potential of these trees, beyond just their physical attributes.

Jad: 8:36

It's like we're rediscovering ancient wisdom. For centuries, traditional medicine has relied on plants, including trees, for healing. Now modern science is catching up, validating and explaining the mechanisms behind these traditional uses.

Lilly: 8:49

That bridge between traditional knowledge and scientific validation is so important. It gives us a more holistic understanding of the natural world and our place within it.

Jad: 8:59

Okay, so we've talked about ash trees, we've talked about willow trees. It's clear that these two species have a lot to offer in terms of when do we go from here? Are there other trees out there with this kind of potential?

Lilly: 9:12

There absolutely are. There are thousands of tree species out there, each with its own unique chemical makeup. Think of the possibilities. And this is where the work of arborists becomes crucial. You are the ones who know these trees intimately. You interact with them daily. You understand their growth patterns, their strengths, their vulnerabilities understand their growth patterns, their strengths, their vulnerabilities.

Jad: 9:34

You're saying that arborists are in a unique position to help unlock the medicinal potential of trees that were not just tree caretakers but potentially key players in the future of medicine.

Lilly: 9:39

Exactly. You have the knowledge, the access and the passion for these trees. By working alongside scientists, by sharing your observations and insights, you can be a vital part of this exploration, this uncovering of nature's hidden pharmacy.

Jad: 9:52

That's a powerful thought. It really elevates the role of this exploration, this uncovering of nature's hidden pharmacy. That's a powerful thought. It really elevates the role of the arborist, doesn't it? We're not just pruning branches, we're potentially shaping the future of medicine.

Lilly: 10:00

It's an incredible opportunity and it all starts with awareness, with recognizing the potential that exists within the trees we work with every day.

Jad: 10:09

This has been such an eye-opening conversation. I feel like I'm looking at trees in a whole new light, with a newfound sense of wonder and respect. As we wrap up this fascinating exploration, I want to leave our listeners with this thought the next time you encounter an ash tree, a willow tree, or any tree for that matter, take a moment to appreciate its complexity, its beauty and its potential to heal.

Lilly: 10:34

You never know what amazing secrets it might hold.

Jad: 10:37

And on that note, we'll bring this episode to a close.

Lilly: 10:40

Sounds good.

Jad: 10:42

Thanks for joining us on this journey into the world of tree extracts and their medicinal potential. Until next time, keep those branches high and those minds curious.

Roger: 10:56

Thank you for joining us Today. We reviewed studies on the pharmaceutical potential of Fraxinus and Salix Alba, examining Fraxinus' anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, alongside an analysis of White Willow's bioactive compounds. We appreciate your attention and look forward to our next discussion.