Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?

That's what I recently asked myself. Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth. So I wondered if home remedies, alternative treatments, and folklore cures might also be based on truth. A little research provided this unusual perspective on one of our most frequently-used medicines.

Barking Up The Wrong Tree?

Not if it's a willow tree! Chewing on willow bark to reduce fever and inflammation dates back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC). Willow bark was used as a medicine in China and Europe for centuries because of its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. Early American settlers even found Native Americans gathering bark from willow trees to treat the same conditions.

What's So Special About Willow Bark?

Willow trees, including the white, black, purple and violet species, contain a chemical called salicin. Chewing or pulping this bark releases the salicin, which the body converts to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is still used today to treat fevers, decrease inflammation, and even help heart disease. There's no need to gnaw on a tree like a beaver every time you have a headache. Today this chemical is produced synthetically as acetylsalicylic acid. Perhaps you know it by its more common name...

Aspirin!

That's right - centuries of chewing on willow bark led to the creation of one of our most widely-used medicines: aspirin. This is definitely one home remedy I would classify as a fact, not a quack.

It makes me wonder though: how many trees did they have to chew on before they found the right one?

Doug Smith is a Chemical Engineer and the webmaster of http://www.SuperHomeRemedies.com. You get free & natural remedies for fungus, lice, acid reflux, cold sores, yeast & more. Stay up to date with our Natural Remedies News

Copyright 2005 by Doug Smith. You may reuse this copyrighted article provided no content is changed - other than line length - and the author's box is intact. All links must be active hyperlinks or made active.

---

Not Sure About the Mind?Body Connection? You Already Use It To Produce Pain Relief

But Not Nearly Often EnoughIf you're skeptical about your ability... Read More

You Don?t Have to Live With Stiff Neck Pain

Getting quality sleep has, for many, become an elusive goal... Read More

Bodily Attributes!

The revolution is indeed underway. Money married to desire, imagination... Read More

How To Find Your Way To Healthy Longevity

As the old saying goes, are you "a picture of... Read More

Detoxification and Your Health: The Bodies 7 Channels of Elimination!

If you want to be healthy you need to understand... Read More

Hemorrhoids & its Symptoms

Hemorrhoids are conditions where there is a swelling of the... Read More

Healing Crisis A Natural Part of Body Cleansing

Introduction to A Healing Crisis An increasing number of people... Read More

Three Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief

Massage ?not the areas that hurtSome experts think that arthritic... Read More

Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs ? Simply Light Years Ahead!

Sunlight is a vital nutrient, which regulates the activity of... Read More

Feeling Frisky? Herbs for Fertility

For thousands of years knowledge of the herbs and wild... Read More

Natural Pain Relief Through Magnetic Therapy is Possible

No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons... Read More

Sun Chlorella and the Benefit

Sun Chlorella is referred to as the Green Magician due... Read More

What Type of Arthritis Do You Have?

Arthritis dates back to prehistoric times and is seen all... Read More

Aloe Vera - The Medicine And Beauty Treatment Of Choice For Millenniums

I can remember as a young boy that my grandmother... Read More

1st Textbook on Sleep Psychiatry

An informative textbook confirming a newly established field: Sleep PsychiatryBook... Read More

The Writer As Activist

Almost two years ago, before the release of my first... Read More

Quit Smoking

Consider this:Already since 1972, over 60 million people in the... Read More

Quiet Discoveries Lead to Fast Sinus Relief

It's amazing what you can find when you start your... Read More

Bring Peace and Serenity to Your Life Through Hypnosis!

Hypnosis: It happens to everyone, young and old, in everyday... Read More

Does A Compulsive Gambler Really Want To Stop Gambling?

This question most gamblers ask themselves when they begin to... Read More

The Healing Effect of Scented Candles

In June 2002, I was a bridesmaid at my cousin's... Read More

Shingles - A Virus Which Can Be Extremely Painful, Or Cleared In No Time - The Choice Is Yours

Shingles, commonly known as the herpes zoster virus is a... Read More

Some Smells Cause Headache

Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the... Read More

Alcohol : How Badly Can It Affect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers?

The wonders of alcohol. The achilles heel for many people.... Read More

Starbucks Green Tea Frappachinos, Can They Prevent Cancer?

Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had... Read More

Green Drink For Constipation

A green drink is a powerful drink that can help... Read More

Use Fresh Herbs In Your Cooking

Many common herbs that you might use in cooking are... Read More

3 Natural Cures For A Migraine Headache

Only a migraine sufferer understands the pain. Regardless of how... Read More

How To Improve Your Mood And Health With Deep Breathing Exercises

It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins... Read More

The Macrobiotic Approach To Health And Wellness

It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week,... Read More

The Whys and Habits of Anxiety & Panic Disorder

Just about everyone asks themselves why? Why did I get... Read More

Why Air Purifiers Are Not Always The Answer To Indoor Air Quality Problems

Air purifier filters are not always the answer to air... Read More

How Brewer?s Yeast and MSM Clear Constipation

Brewer's yeast can help to ease, reduce, or clear your... Read More