Aspirin: What are the Benefits, What are the Risks?

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Adapted from the SixWise.com article.
Used by permission.

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Although the first form of aspirin dates back to the 5th century B.C. (Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used willow bark and leaves to relieve pain and reduce fever), it wasn't until the 1820s, that scientists identified the active component in willow bark: salicin.  Today, aspirin is a household word; and, while some believe it to be a miracle drug, others think that aspirin may not be as safe or worthwhile as it's touted to be.  And, with aspirin costing only pennies a day, some believe this easy access makes consumers overlook its potentially serious risks.

Aspirin: "The Wonder Drug" — not!

Possibly aspirin's most prized effect is its ability to thin the blood and make it less sticky.  Studies have found that aspirin keeps blood from clotting, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.  But, there is a lot of medical hype to this supposed benefit.  The fact is, for up to 40% of people, there is also a serious rebound effect, that actually places people at even greater risk for heart attack or stroke.  So, while taking aspirin during a heart attack may reduce its severity, it's not a good option for trying to prevent one.

And, a fact that is not well-publicized: Aspirin use, even at the low dose recommended by doctors, kills a lot of people every year.  I've seen statistics ranging from 300 - 7,600 deaths in the United States, and as many as 100,000 world-wide, from sudden bleeding events.  Recent studies have also found that aspirin — even at recommended doses — can cause liver and/or kidney damage.  The potential for sudden death is quite real.

The good news is, there are other, all-natural options that do what aspirin is supposed to do, without putting your life at risk.  One delicious option is minimally-processed dark chocolate.  Its polyphenol bioflavanoids have been shown to provide excellent anti-clotting activity, as well as conditioning the blood vessels.

These polyphenols can be found in other foods, as well as in supplement form.  Arguably, one of the best is NingXia Red, a berry juice featuring the NingXia wolfberry.  Another is dōTERRA's new supplement Alpha CRS.  Both provide powerful polyphenolic support to keep your blood flowing smoothly.

Proteolytic enzymes can also be very beneficial for blood flow.  Bromelain and nattokinase are two of the most important enzymes for this.

Essential oils also offer powerful alternatives to aspirin.  Wintergreen oil is more than 90% methyl salicylate, the active ingredient (in a natural form) in aspirin.  Clove oil is excellent for improving the viscosity of the blood.  And, since the greatest effect of aspirin is as an anti-inflammatory agent, essential oils offer a natural alternative to this, as well.  Oils like helichrysum, frankincense, peppermint and wintergreen, and blends like AromaTouch, Balance and Deep Blue all have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, as do blue tansy and German chamomile.

There have been studies that also suggest that aspirin would be beneficial for slowing the progression of colon cancer, preventing cancers and slowing or preventing dementia, like Alzheimer's disease.  But, again: At what price?  The issue in all of this is aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties.  Polyphenal bioflavanoids, enzymes and essential oils all offer powerful inflammatory regulation and protection, without the risks of sudden bleeding or liver and/or kidney damage.

Real risks associated with long-term aspirin use

According to the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, "the risks of long-term aspirin use may be greater than the benefits, if there are no signs of, or risk factors for, heart or blood vessel disease."

Most people are aware that aspirin can cause stomach upset, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, but there are also more serious risks, such as:

• Stomach bleeding, ulcers and holes in the stomach,
• Bleeding in the brain and other internal bleeding,
• Kidney failure,
• Certain types of stroke,
• Liver damage, especially in chronic alcohol users,
• Ringing in the ears and hearing loss,
• Allergic reactions (in about two out of 1,000 people who are allergic to aspirin, the drug can cause facial swelling and asthma attacks, according to the Mayo Clinic),

Reye's Syndrome, which can occur when children take aspirin to reduce fever caused by a viral infection, is another concern.  Although rare, the disease is very serious, and causes brain swelling and fatty deposits in the liver, and can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Given the safe and effective alternatives to aspirin, I really can't see why anyone would want to put their life and health at risk.