“People forget that one of the oldest, most effective, scientifically proven drugs came from traditional medicine—aspirin.” - Yung-Chi Cheng, Consortium for the Globalization of Chinese Medicine (CGCM) . Back in the day, a casual four thousand years ago, Sumerians documented willow tree extract to remedy pain. Jump two millennia forward, the continued medical use of willow tree was prominent within both Chinese and Greek civilizations. . In the 1820’s, German pharmacologist, Johann Buchner, saw to the isolation of “Salicin”, from which we derived “Salicylic Acid”; the compound in willow tree accredited for its role in pain relief. After altering its structure so as to stabilize the acid’s tendency to cause gastrointestinal irritation, we now know it as “Aspirin”. . In realizing our progression, in no way demoting the vast multitude of effective breakthroughs, is perhaps also an acknowledgment of our regression. A stepping away from the source, a disconnectedness and alienation of sorts. The other day I was walking by the milk section in my local grocery store and saw that they’d started stocking this new brand of liquid egg whites, and it just chilled me. An efficiency that’s somewhat steamrolled the beauty and synergism of our resources. Where’s the respect? What intentions and energy come with an industry that’s fundamentally built upon one thing - the accumulation of wealth. . In this, I am privileged, and can cook for myself, and others, feeling secure in my knowledge and ingredients. High-tailed it to the produce aisle and left with half a dozen purple sweet potatoes because they make for a killer quiche crust. Not to bring it back to food😈 Feast your eyes @moodbeli❤️ . #wellnessrant #natureisntalternative #tcm #traditionalmedecine #alwaysfood #gutsnglorypodcast #podcasts #intuition #storytelling #gutfeeling #illustration #characterdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/BvwGHhmghLx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s1y6fzwdgqlj