modern medicines derived from "folk" medicine?

Question

for example: An infusion of willow leaves was recommended by Hippocrates in 400BC for releaving pain whilst giving birth. Aspirin is derived from salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid) which is present in willow bark and willow leaves. A brew made from willow bark was also used in the 18th century.

Answer 1

Many medicines were derived from 'folk' remedies, but often the folk remedies contained nasty compounds and were of variable strength and purity. That is where modern pharmaceuticals have their origin.

Some more are: Digoxin used in heart failure made from the flower of the foxglove plant, morphine from the opium poppy, albuterol for asthma from the Jamestown weed, quinine (used for treating malaria) from the Cinchona plant flower and the coca plant from which we get the anaesthetic and addictive drug cocaine.

Answer 2

Almost all medicines were discovered by Aborigines. Rowalfia,Digoxin,Penicillin,Quinine, Caffeine, Opium,Codein,Demerol,Theophylline,
Vincristine, etc

Answer 3

I was just reading today that Tylenol is derived from tar(?) and it's pain relieving properties have been known for years. What's only been discovered recently is that in you body it breaks down into compounds similar to those in marijuana.

Answer 4

yes, and vallium is made from valerian root which is an herbal supplement available at health stores. even some spices are herbal, and can be poisonous in large amounts.