Herbal Remedies and the Discovery of Aspirin

Exploring an ancient herbal manual, this chapter discusses the effectiveness of various folk remedies, including the use of willow bark as a painkiller, which eventually led to the discovery of aspirin. It also touches on the use of expensive aromatics like mer in prescriptions for wealthy patients and the historical use of opium as a painkiller and sedative, drawing parallels to the modern opioid epidemic.