This is a blog post that was initially intended to just provide educational info on my pain salve, but things got a little weird, anyway I'm going to call it...

Here's a little history...

Before aspirin came in convenient little bottles on pharmacy shelves, humans had to root around in the wilderness like medieval pharmacists with foraging baskets. And the OG of natural pain relief? Willow bark.

White Willow Bark is particularly salicin-rich and is therefore often used in traditional medicine.

Yes, the humble bark of a tree.

Ancient Egyptians used it, Hippocrates wrote about it in 400 BCE (yes, that Hippocrates—father of modern medicine, toga enthusiast), and Native Americans chewed on it. Long before we could pop a Tylenol and call it a day, we were boiling twigs like witches and smearing homemade salves on our sore joints while muttering something about the moon cycle.

But, what About the beavers?

Well here’s the twist: it wasn’t just humans who appreciated willow bark. Beavers were in on it too. You see, they love to chow down on willow bark and, seeing as 'you are what you eat', this means they can tend to have high concentrations of the bark's pain-relieving salicin compound in their systems. Unfortunately for them we stumbled upon this fact, and given that we were already eating them and wearing them on our heads, this just intensified the clamor for the lovable rodents.

To be specific, it seems medieval physicians were quite obsessed with castoreum, a secretion from the beaver’s castor sacs (located near the tail, not the testicles, contrary to many oddly committed medieval illustrations). Castoreum was thought to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and even prevent seizures. And because it contains salicylic acid and other bioactive compounds, those beliefs weren’t entirely off base. That said, stories of beavers biting off their own testicles to escape hunters (yes, really) were definitely more fiction than fact. Beavers, as it turns out, are not self-mutilating martyrs of the herbal world.

You're looking at a genuine 13th Century manuscript illustration of a poorly drawn beaver self-neutering, I kid you not. Rochester Bestiary, England c1230.

While the science behind beaver self-neutering is, thankfully, debunked, our fascination with natural painkillers has never gone out of style. And that’s where our Willow Bark Pain Salve glides in, smooth and soothing as a beaver in a hot tub.

Aw, he thinks he's people. Thankfully, our Willow Bark Pain Salve contains zero beaver secretions, and all of the salicin you could want comes directly from its plant source. Beavers, you're off the hook

So let's turn a blind eye to our medieval beastly behavior and talk some healthy, wholesome plant science...

🌿Willow Bark: The Aspirin Before Aspirin

As I briefly mentioned, the bark of the willow tree (Salix spp.) contains a compound called salicin, a naturally occurring chemical that the body metabolizes into salicylic acid. This is the same pain-fighting compound that inspired the creation of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) in the 19th century.

Salicylic acid works by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), which are responsible for producing prostaglandins—the molecules that trigger inflammation, pain, and swelling in your tissues. By slowing down prostaglandin production, willow bark helps your body turn down the volume on pain signals, especially in conditions like arthritis, muscle strain, or overuse injuries.

Unlike synthetic aspirin, salicin from willow bark is absorbed and converted more gradually, potentially resulting in fewer gastrointestinal side effects and longer-lasting relief. In other words, it’s not just bark—it bites (gently).

Okay, so let's get back to some product promotion...

Willow bark is obviously pretty awesome. But wait, you didn’t think I'd stop at one plant, did you? No, my 'willow bark' salve blend is like a greatest hits album of botanical pain-fighters, let me break it down:

While willow bark is the salve’s star, it doesn't work alone. This formula combines a handpicked lineup of scientifically backed anti-inflammatory herbs, roots, and essential oils. Think of it as the Avengers of plant-based pain relief:

How cheesy is this!?! Thank you AI.

• Meadowsweet – Like willow, it’s rich in salicylates and adds extra anti-inflammatory punch.

• Arnica – Renowned for reducing bruising, sprains, and soreness. Great for that mysterious shoulder pain you swear came from just “sleeping weird.”

• St. John's Wort – Not just for mood; it’s also valued for its nerve-soothing properties, including sciatica.

• Nettle – Used for centuries for inflammatory joint pain, it blocks pro-inflammatory signals like a botanical bodyguard.

• Feverfew – Shown to inhibit prostaglandin production and soothe inflammatory flare-ups.

• Turmeric – Contains curcumin, which targets inflammation and stiffness in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Ginger – Reduces joint stiffness and boosts circulation. Also good in tea, but here it’s a topical warrior.

• Plai – A cousin of ginger from Thailand, this lesser-known root packs a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

• Clove Bud – Contains eugenol, known for its pain-numbing and anti-inflammatory properties. Great for rheumatism and back pain.

• Emu Oil – A fatty acid-rich carrier oil that penetrates deeply to ease swelling and increase absorption of other actives.

All of these herbs are slowly infused into rice bran and grapeseed oil, then blended with local beeswax to create a rich, skin-friendly salve that stays where it’s needed.

Topping it off is a synergistic blend of essential oils—including helichrysum, black pepper, galangal, rosemary, peppermint, frankincense, eucalyptus, and lavender—that support blood flow, muscle relaxation, and overall comfort.

Who Should Reach for This Jar?

• Those with arthritis, joint pain, or chronic inflammation.

• People recovering from bruises, sprains, or muscle overuse.

• Anyone dealing with nerve-related discomfort (like sciatica).

• Adults who have started making that “ugh” noise when they get up from a chair.

• Natural health lovers seeking a plant-based, non-synthetic alternative to topical pain creams.

  
  

Use it on knees, shoulders, necks, hands, or anywhere else you feel like muttering, “That didn’t hurt yesterday…”

Conclusion: The Past Is Painful, But Relief Doesn’t Have to Be

From Hippocrates chewing on willow twigs to beavers (allegedly) biting off bits of themselves for medicinal purposes, the history of pain relief is full of drama, science, and some rather questionable decisions.

Today, we’ve taken the best of nature’s pain-fighting botanicals—to bring you ancient relief with a modern twist. And while it may not help you outrun a medieval fur trapper, it can help you get off the couch without making that “I’m not 20 anymore” groan.

So here’s to healing, history, and not having to gnaw off any body parts to live comfortably!