How to Make Aspirin
The small aspirin tablets you purchase at the grocery store are a synthetic version of a natural remedy used for thousands of years to relieve pain and reduce fevers. With evidence that Native Americans, as well as early Europeans, extracted salicylates from varieties of willow
trees
, the common aspirin today has a long history. By using various methods of extraction, you can make your own natural aspirin.
Things You'll Need:
White willow tree bark
Dried white willow bark powder
Water
Vodka
Kitchen pan and utensils
Fine mesh strainer
Small dark glass bottle with stopper
1
Gather the fresh and supple branches of the white willow tree where it thrives, usually near a source of water. These are the easiest to harvest and you can nip or cut them and store them in a zip-type plastic bag until you get home. Learn more about the properties of the White Willow tree (see resources).
2
Wash the branches thoroughly and cut into small sections before crushing the stems to expose the inner bark.
3
Measure the bark pieces and use half that amount of water. For instance, if you have two cups of white willow bark chunks, you will use one cup of water.
4
Boil water in a pan and remove from heat. Immediately add the willow branch chunks and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the mixture to sit, undisturbed for a couple of hours.
5
Strain and save the liquid in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator. This simple natural aspirin tincture keeps up to one week.
6
Use vodka instead of water for a stronger salicylate extract. It takes longer to make but has a shelf life of one year. Instead of boiling, pack the willow chunks tightly in a glass canning jar and add enough vodka just to cover the bark. Fit with a tight lid and store in a dark cool location (not the refrigerator) for three weeks. Drain and pour the liquid into a dark glass bottle and store away from heat and sunlight.
7
Open and stir one capsule of dried white willow bark, found at health food stores, in a cup of water or tea. Willow bark has a bitter, disagreeable taste, so add a little honey if it’s difficult to drink.
8
Learn to use accepted herbal methods for extracting beneficial salicylates from White Willow. Herbalists use not only extracts made from the bark and powdered bark, they create decoctions, infusions and tinctures, depending upon the desired strength of the product and the items on hand (see resources).
Tips & Warnings
Take safety precautions. The bark of the white willow contains salicylates that are absorbed through the skin. Some people are allergic to natural aspirin; even touching the bark may result in redness and a rash. If you have symptoms of a salicylate allergy, do not make or consume natural aspirin products.
Avoid giving natural aspirin to
children
under 18. Just like its synthetic cousin, the salicylates in natural aspirin can increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome in children.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4479817_make-aspirin.html
The small aspirin tablets you purchase at the grocery store are a synthetic version of a natural remedy used for thousands of years to relieve pain and reduce fevers. With evidence that Native Americans, as well as early Europeans, extracted salicylates from varieties of willow
trees
, the common aspirin today has a long history. By using various methods of extraction, you can make your own natural aspirin.
Things You'll Need:
White willow tree bark
Dried white willow bark powder
Water
Vodka
Kitchen pan and utensils
Fine mesh strainer
Small dark glass bottle with stopper
1
Gather the fresh and supple branches of the white willow tree where it thrives, usually near a source of water. These are the easiest to harvest and you can nip or cut them and store them in a zip-type plastic bag until you get home. Learn more about the properties of the White Willow tree (see resources).
2
Wash the branches thoroughly and cut into small sections before crushing the stems to expose the inner bark.
3
Measure the bark pieces and use half that amount of water. For instance, if you have two cups of white willow bark chunks, you will use one cup of water.
4
Boil water in a pan and remove from heat. Immediately add the willow branch chunks and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the mixture to sit, undisturbed for a couple of hours.
5
Strain and save the liquid in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator. This simple natural aspirin tincture keeps up to one week.
6
Use vodka instead of water for a stronger salicylate extract. It takes longer to make but has a shelf life of one year. Instead of boiling, pack the willow chunks tightly in a glass canning jar and add enough vodka just to cover the bark. Fit with a tight lid and store in a dark cool location (not the refrigerator) for three weeks. Drain and pour the liquid into a dark glass bottle and store away from heat and sunlight.
7
Open and stir one capsule of dried white willow bark, found at health food stores, in a cup of water or tea. Willow bark has a bitter, disagreeable taste, so add a little honey if it’s difficult to drink.
8
Learn to use accepted herbal methods for extracting beneficial salicylates from White Willow. Herbalists use not only extracts made from the bark and powdered bark, they create decoctions, infusions and tinctures, depending upon the desired strength of the product and the items on hand (see resources).
Tips & Warnings
Take safety precautions. The bark of the white willow contains salicylates that are absorbed through the skin. Some people are allergic to natural aspirin; even touching the bark may result in redness and a rash. If you have symptoms of a salicylate allergy, do not make or consume natural aspirin products.
Avoid giving natural aspirin to
children
under 18. Just like its synthetic cousin, the salicylates in natural aspirin can increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome in children.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4479817_make-aspirin.html
