Published By: K.D Cameron

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Here’s the secret: Aspirin comes from herbs.

That’s right, aspirin comes from herbs. We’ve been consuming it and using it for health purposes for centuries. Our friends over at the Chemical Heritage Foundation have published an excellent and engaging history you can read here.

In short, aspirin—or salicylic acid—is the active ingredient in a number of plants and the modern version is simply a synthetic version of that natural compound. Herbs containing salicin, salicylic acid and other salicylates appear in texts dating back to Hippocrates, who recommended willow bark for those experiencing fever and pain.

Today we see studies that show us how aspirin (salicylic acid) can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. But as researchers note in a recently published review, regular use of synthetic aspirin can be associated with a number of negative side effects.

It may be big business today, but aspirin and the entire pain-relief drug market owe their origins to humble herbs like the white willow bark Hippocrates prescribed centuries ago. The good news is you can still take white willow bark today and get your salicylates the way the ancients did. You can even find concentrated, standardized supplements that deliver specific doses of salicin.

So sure, aspirin may reduce stroke risk. But aspirin comes from an herb. I think I’ll opt for the herb. If it was good enough for Hippocrates, it’s good enough for me.