Tag: Natural aspirin

For millennia, long before its synthetic creation, ancient civilizations used herbal remedies from plants containing salicin, the natural precursor to acetyl salicylic acid. These remedies were known for their pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties, establishing a long history of utilizing these natural sources.

Over 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates reportedly used the bark of a willow tree to relieve pain and fever, a plant source of natural salicylates. Today, many common fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices contain these same compounds, leading people to wonder what foods contain natural aspirin.

Aspirin is a synthetically produced drug, but the natural compound it was derived from, salicylates, exists in dozens of common foods. Many people are curious about which foods contain aspirin, but the answer requires understanding the key difference between the drug and its natural source.

Aspirin is a manufactured medication, but its active component, salicylic acid, has naturally-occurring relatives called salicylates found in many plants. These natural compounds protect plants from pests and disease and are why many people ask what foods contain aspirin. While most can safely consume them, some individuals have a sensitivity that requires dietary considerations.