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FDA have botanical origins, such as aspirin from willow bark and tamoxifen from the Pacific yew tree.
ECONOMIST: Herbal remedies
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Take two infusions of willow bark and call me in the morning.
WSJ: Big Pharma's Real Roots | Wild Medicine | New York Botanical Garden | By Joanne Kaufman
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The willow bark contained salicin, the pharmacological ancestor of a family of drugs called salicylates, of which aspirin is the most famous.
BBC: Aspirin: A century of good news
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Aspirin, for example, was originally derived from willow bark, and the anticancer drug Taxol comes from the bark of the Pacific yew tree.
FORBES: Ancient Secrets
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But just like you can call salicylic acid willow bark extract, corporations can package, market and sell homeopathic and natural alternatives to mainstream medicine, too.
FORBES: Science and Skepticism: The Importance of Evidence-Based Health Tips
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As far back as the fifth century BC Hippocrates used a bitter powder obtained from willow bark to ease aches and pains and reduce fever.
BBC: Aspirin: A century of good news
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Dr Metcalf said the Egyptians used natural remedies, such as chewing willow bark - which contains properties similar to aspirin - and honey on open wounds to kill bacteria.
BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Manchester | Hunt for ancient medicine secrets