Take two infusions of willow bark and call me in the morning.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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