Yes,
another Grandparent article. Aspirin - and you thought it was only good for headaches (well, I did too).
Though
willow bark has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain and
inflammation, it wasn't until 1897 that a German chemist was able to modify its
active ingredient – salicin – to create acetylsalicylic acid, which is gentler
on stomachs and the basis of modern aspirin. But this “miracle drug” can do
more than treat a headache.
Uses:
Soften
your feet:
Remove calluses from your feet (or hands) with aspirin. Crush six to eight
tablets and mix them with a teaspoon or two of lemon juice, and enough warm
water to make a paste. Spread the paste on the calloused area, then wrap in a
warm towel and cover with a plastic bag. Leave on for ten or fifteen minutes,
then scrub with a pumice stone to remove the callous. (NOTE: Do not try this if
you are diabetic or have impaired circulation.)
Make
your plants healthier:
Aspirin may just be a gardener’s best friend. A solution of one aspirin in a
gallon of water can help plants that have been traumatized by moving or
replanting to recover, and can help new plants to develop strong root systems.
Or add a little mild, liquid soap to the aspirin water and spray it on plant
leaves to discourage pests. (The soap will keep the solution from just rolling
off the plant.)
