What is Aspirin Made From?

Introduction

Aspirin is a common pain reliever that has been used for many years for its medicinal properties. However, not many people know where aspirin comes from and what it is made of. In this article, we will dive into the history of aspirin and the plant it is made from.

The History of Aspirin

Aspirin's story dates back to ancient times when the bark of the willow tree was used for its medicinal properties. Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted into salicylic acid when ingested. However, it was soon discovered that salicylic acid had many side effects, including causing irritation to the stomach lining. In 1897, a German chemist named Felix Hoffmann synthesized a new compound by combining salicylic acid with acetic anhydride, which was less irritating to the stomach lining. This new compound was named aspirin.

The Plant from Which Aspirin is Made

As mentioned earlier, aspirin is derived from a plant called the willow tree. The willow tree belongs to the genus Salix and has many different species. The bark of some species, such as White Willow, contains the highest amount of salicin, which is the precursor to aspirin. The bark is harvested during the winter months when the concentration of salicin is at its peak. The bark is then dried, ground into a powder, and processed with chemicals to extract the salicylic acid.

The Manufacturing Process of Aspirin

After the salicylic acid has been extracted from the willow bark, it undergoes a series of chemical reactions to form aspirin. The salicylic acid is combined with acetic anhydride, and a catalyst is added to facilitate the reaction. The resulting mixture is then heated, and the water produced during the reaction is removed by a process called distillation. The resulting product is crude aspirin, which is then purified by recrystallization to produce the final product.

Conclusion

In summary, aspirin is made from a plant called the willow tree. Specifically, it is derived from the bark of the tree, which contains salicin. The salicin is then processed to produce salicylic acid, which is used to synthesize aspirin. Although aspirin has been used for many years, its origins as a natural remedy have largely been forgotten, making it all the more interesting to delve into its history.