Natural Aspirin

Since the beginning of medical history mankind has embraced certain types of tree barks which have been praised for there value in reducing fever, inflammation or pain. These barks have one common ingredient which allows them to retain foothold in medical value. It is the most potent pain killer found in nature.

Illnesses ranging from arthritis, bursitis, fever, headache, inflammation, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and trauma are only a few of the problems treated with a healthy dose of this natural salicin. You may be asking where this wonder drug comes from. It is the natural byproduct of a species of tree barks.

The use of this bark reverts back as far as the 1800's, when scientists managed to identify and then to extract salicin as the pain killing medication found in the bark. From there they went on to develop a synthetic version known commercially as acetylsalicylic acid. We all know this is the name given to our modern day "Aspirin".

Aspirin is the most commonly used pain reliever found in the world with yearly consumption reaching over 90 million pounds annually. That's a lot of aspirin. Although as consumers today we now use the synthetic version of salicin the original bark from the trees is just as valuable from the survivalist or preppers view.

In a survival situation knowing how to both harvest the salicin and to use it could be one of the most important survival skills that you could learn. Salicin is found in the inner bark of several species of trees including the Willow family. These plants include:

* American, Trembling or Quaking Aspen

* Big tooth Aspen

* White willow or European willow

* Black willow or the popular pussy willow

* Crack willow

* Purple willow

* Weeping willow

In addition, a very readily available source is the popular tree. Using the inner bark of a popular tree is the easiest method of creating a natural aspirin. Usually the younger trees make the more potent products. Poplar trees are a fast growing tree that can often gain as much as ten feet or more in a single season. They have large leaves which grow directly from the plants main stem. When the tree grows in size these stems will form branches from which the leaves become much smaller.

The salicin which we want to harvest is contained within the trees inner bark which is scientifically known as the cambium layer. This inner bark is considered the living tissue of this plant and is found between the rough outer bark and its hard wood.

In the spring or early summer it is a fairly easy task to peel the outer bark of the tree and chew it directly or if you so desire it can be steeped in hot water to create an aspirin tea. Cut in the bark, striping it off. It will appear to be very slippery allowing you to carefully peel it in long continuous strips.

During other seasons you may not be able to peel the bark so easily from the tree. In such case you will need to scrape off the inner and outer barks using a sharp knife. You will quickly notice that the smell and the taste of the poplar bark appear to be very aspirin like. It presents a bitter taste which is undesirable to many people. If you are in a hurry you could simply chew some of the bark in your mouth while swallowing the liquid. If the bitter taste is an issue, an alternative method would be to simmer two teaspoons of the bark in one cup of water for a period of ten minutes. Let the liquid cool and then strain and drink it. You can safely consume 3 or 4 cups of this drink on a daily basis without any undesirable effects.

If you use a product provided by Mother Nature keep in mind to use only what you need and leave the rest for others. Never deface a tree by removing bark from its main trunk but instead use the small branches in order to limit the amount of damage done.

Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish

http://www.survival-training.info

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Natural Remedies for the Common Cold - A Preppers Guide

What do you do when you get sick in a world without drug stores?

I caught a cold last week. Something that happens to all of us and should not be a big deal. I find that as I get older these run of the mill illnesses seem to get worse and longer in duration. I have gotten to the point where I need a prescription cough syrup to sleep at night once the cough starts.

If you look at the counter in my bathroom there will be cough drops, cough medicine, Ibuprofen, decongestants and whatever I can think of that might ease my suffering. I'm not trying to come off as a wimp here but having a cold sucks. I can't sleep or even think for the duration - which seems to get longer all the time. Back in the day I could count on being 100% after a week or so. Now the symptoms can last two weeks or longer.

I thought about going cold turkey on the meds to see what it would be like but decided that keeping my house awake all night with my chronic cough would not be worth it. I also suffer seasonal allergies and know just how ugly that scene gets if I don't take my meds.

Modern diseases tend to center around inflammation. Inflammation is a reaction that occurs when the auto immune system is not functioning properly. Inflammation can be traced as the cause for everything from heart disease to arthritis.

So what did we do without pharmacies and medicines to ease our suffering? A quick internet search yielded some clues to start with: garlic, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil. Another question arose from my research that although won't cure the common cold may explain some things. Maybe paleo man did not get colds the way we do. I am pretty sure that allergies are prevalent in our modern society because of pre and post natal care. The introduction of formula to replace breast feeding has done damage to our autoimmune function. The decrease in good gut flora has had the same affect. The introduction of antibiotics as a cure for everything in the 60's and 70's harmed a generation of people. I think that I was raised on formula and given antibiotics regularly. Diet also plays a role in disease and inflammation.

Many of our current diseases such as diabetes and arthritis were not prevalent in paleolithic times. Examination of remains show good health. Infections were the most dangerous things in these times. Our diets and lifestyles have opened pandora's box for neolithic diseases.

So the next time I get a cold I am going to give the natural methods a try. Gargling with apple cider vinegar, teas and inflammation control are going to be my priorities.

For more information on surviving in uncertain times check out What is a prepper

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