Category: Natural medicine

Certain essential oils are composed almost entirely of methyl salicylate, a compound used in many topical analgesics for muscle pain [1.2.2, 1.5.4]. Wintergreen (*Gaultheria procumbens*) and Sweet Birch (*Betula lenta*) oils contain 98% or more of this potent ingredient [1.3.1, 1.4.5].

Approximately 25% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States contain active ingredients extracted from higher plants [1.2.3]. A classic answer to **What is an example of a natural drug?** is morphine, a potent pain reliever derived directly from the opium poppy [1.4.3].

According to the National Institutes of Health, papain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the raw fruit of the papaya plant, while chymopapain is another related enzyme from the same source. This guide delves into **what is papain and chymopapain**, exploring their distinct uses, historical medical applications, and associated safety risks.

Aspen bark and leaves contain salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin that can help reduce pain, swelling, and fever [1.3.7, 1.7.7]. This article explores the question: **what does aspen help with** in traditional and modern herbalism?

The vast difference in size, lifespan, and reproductive capacity between a queen bee and a worker bee is attributed to royal jelly, their exclusive food. Given this powerful effect, many people have pondered the question: Is royal jelly a drug? In reality, this substance is not a regulated medication but rather a dietary supplement with potential pharmacological properties that require careful consideration.

Did you know that many plants and common foods contain naturally occurring compounds that can regulate vital biological processes in the body? A natural inhibitor is a molecule produced by an organism that decreases or blocks the activity of another specific enzyme or protein, serving as a fundamental mechanism of control in biological systems.