How to Make Aspirin If You Are Lost in the Woods
The inner bark of the willow tree contains salicin, which is closely related to the active ingredient in aspirin.
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You Will Need
- Willow tree
- 2 tsp. inner bark
- 1 c. water
- Fire
- Sharp knife (optional)
Steps
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People who are allergic or sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin should not use willow bark.
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Step 1
Find a willow tree
Find a tree in the willow family. Examples include quaking aspens, bigtooth aspens, white willows, black willows, crack willows, purple willows, and weeping willows.
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Step 2
Remove bark
Cut into the tree's bark, strip it off, and isolate the inner bark. In spring and summer, the bark can be removed in long continuous strips.
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If you cannot peel the bark off, scrape off the inner and outer bark using the edge of a sharp knife.
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Step 3
Make a tea
Simmer 2 teaspoons of the inner bark in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool before drinking.
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If you cannot make a tea, an option is to chew on the bark.
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Step 4
Avoid overdosing
Drink no more than 4 cups of this tea each day. Overdosing has been known to occur.
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Aspirin works by reducing the production of pain-triggering hormones called prostaglandins.
