Mother Nature's Gifts

The Beauty and Brutality of Plant Medicine

Mother nature has created some amazing compounds that we can use to enhance our lives. It’s also created some terrifying ones that you should avoid like the plague.

In this article we will go over some of the most useful, and most toxic compounds created by plants. Don’t go out and eat any of the plant’s listed in this article unless you talk to your doctor about it first.

---

The Good

Salicylic Acid one of the first plant compounds used in modern medicine. It’s synthesized from certain willow, wintergreen, and birch trees. Today it’s the primary ingredient found in Aspirin.

Aspirin inhibits COX-1, an enzyme which converts arachidonic acid into thromboxanes and prostaglandins. These are primarily responsible for inflammation and clotting; hence aspirins use as an antiplatelet drug and pain reducer.

---