willowbark
Aspirin's natural precursor
Willowbark is the bark of willow trees, used for centuries as a pain reliever and fever reducer.
It contains salicin, a compound the body converts to salicylic acid—the basis for aspirin.
Willowbark appears in herbal medicine and dietary supplements: She takes willowbark extract for her headaches.
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- pain reliefEasing of discomfort
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- fever reducerDrug lowering body heat
- herbalismPlant-based healing tradition
tincture · decoction · traditional medicine · analgesic · remedy · apothecary · extract · tea
Plant growth tissue
- phloemPlant sugar-transport tissue
- harvestGathering mature crops
- strippingRemoving outer layers
- riparianRelating to riverbanks
wetland · spring harvest · sustainable harvest · coppicing · fibrous · peeling · wildcrafting · foraging
Earliest known civilization
- Native AmericanOriginal inhabitants of America
- CherokeeIndigenous Southeastern nation
- indigenous knowledgeLocally transmitted ancestral understanding
- traditional healingIndigenous medical practices
ethnobotany · 19th century · Bayer · shamanic · curandero · herbal lore
aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- pain reliefEasing of discomfort
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- fever reducerDrug lowering body heat
herbalism · tincture · decoction · traditional medicine · analgesic · remedy · apothecary · extract · tea · poultice
cambium
Plant growth tissue
riparian · wetland · spring harvest · sustainable harvest · coppicing · fibrous · peeling · wildcrafting · foraging
Sumerian
Earliest known civilization
- Native AmericanOriginal inhabitants of America
- CherokeeIndigenous Southeastern nation
- indigenous knowledgeLocally transmitted ancestral understanding
traditional healing · ethnobotany · 19th century · Bayer · shamanic · curandero · herbal lore
willowbarkaspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
ibuprofen · acetaminophen · synthetic drugs · chemical compounds · naproxen
willowbarkprescription drugs
Medicine requiring doctor's order
over-the-counter medications · clinical medicine · prescription medication