Aspirin:

Just tell me what to take

We don't  ever advocate taking any drugs except when a person's life depends on it, especially when there are so many natural remedies available (see Natural Remedies below). However, we also know that a bad headache and other painful acute conditions can inspire one to take aspirin.

Aspirin was created 100 years ago primarily as a treatment for arthritis.  It has been used for that purpose every since.  Aspirin has been recognized as one of the least expensive and most effective medications for the treatment of many of the forms of arthritis.   For more information on Arthritis, see our article Arthritis 

So, we want you to know what supplements to take to combat the vitamin depletion that taking this drug can cause.

Aspirin interferes with digestion, the formation of body starch, the production of tissue proteins, and the ability of the cells to absorb sugar; it slows the clotting of blood, increases the need both for oxygen and for every known nutrient, and accelerates the urinary loss of calcium, potassium, vitamin C and all the B vitamins.

Aspirin can force the adrenal glands to produce a little more cortisone, but in the process it depletes the glands of vitamin C and pantothenic acid. 

Aspirin can block Vitamin C from being absorbed into your body and it break it down too fast. Aspirin causes a buildup of toxins within your body, which then increases your need for vitamin C but also reduces the body's ability to absorb it.

Aspirin causes you to excrete calcium through the urine.

Aspirin is also an antagonist of magnesium. It can also lower potassium levels. It increases the body's retention of sodium as the sodium/potassium balance will be effected. 

However, we do suggest that if you feel you must take a pain-killer, that you take ibupurfen, not any of the other over the counter pain killers, they will deplete the body of glutathione which is the body's major antioxidant 

Natural Remedies:

Did you also know that Aspirin is a chemical imitation of salicin from the bark of the white willow tree. White willow bark (salix alba) also soothes headaches and reduces pin and swelling in arthritic joints. Based on their studies of salicum, researchers derived a synthetic drug called acetyl salicylic acid - better known today as aspirin. Unlink aspirin, which can cause stomach irritation, white willow contains tannins, which are actually good for the digestive system. This is an excellent aspirin substitute.  Remember though that if you are allergic to aspirin, you shouldn't take this herb. 

Meadowsweet (filipendula ulmaria) contains an aspirin-type compound called salicylic acid. How to take it? Make tea from a dried herb. Drink 1 cup.

What do you take if you're going to take aspirin:
(click on name of vitamin for recommended sources of these supplemetns)
Vitamin C 
Vitamin B Complex, with extra Pantothenic acid (B5)
Calcium/Magnesium
Potassium

Health & Wellness Pack - A good source for these vitamins here!

Temporary Relief of Headache Pain - Pain Control Formula

How much do I take?  There is the recommended dosage on the supplement bottle or box.  However, the recommended dosage, is a baseline amount.  Remember, when you are taking the supplements you need to compensate for what you've taken, the more you ingest, the more supplements you must take.