August 20, 2007: Oldest gum

[Aliantha]

Wasn't birch bark used as a pain killer at some time during human history? Is it possible someone had a tooth ache and was chewing on it for relief?

[manephelien]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Wasn't birch bark used as a pain killer at some time during human history? Is it possible someone had a tooth ache and was chewing on it for relief?

Not birch bark, but willow bark certainly. The scientific name of various willow species is Salix, and from the bark you get salicylic acid, which is further treated chemically to make acetylsalicylic acid which is used in Aspirin.

My grandmother told me that as a kid she and her friends used to chew on pine resin. She was born in 1913 and there was little candy, never mind chewing gum available.

Xylitol is birch sugar, refined from birch sap. It is used as a sweetener in sugarfree gum, and has the property of combating caries rather than causing it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I've chewed pine resin. Ya gotta get it good and dirty before it stops sticking to your teeth.

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Wasn't birch bark used as a pain killer at some time during human history? Is it possible someone had a tooth ache and was chewing on it for relief?

This is exactly what was being theorized by the archaeologist who was doing the interview.

[Karenv]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Wasn't birch bark used as a pain killer at some time during human history? Is it possible someone had a tooth ache and was chewing on it for relief?

Actually birch bark is still used as a pain killer and it contains the same essential oils as wintergreen, which operates topically, on a different principle than willow bark. Willow bark is like aspirin and works better internally as a tea or tincture. Birch bark is still chewed as a dentifrice by Native Americans. It also contains anti-cancer compounds and chaga, a mushroom that grows on birch trees and incorporates the oils is the strongest of the anti-cancer medicinal mushrooms.

No reason to think that primitive people were any less intelligent than us. We adapt to a different database, but few of us could survive living off of the land, hunting, modifying natural substances for food, medicines and tools. Cooking it to a tar isn't farfetched- ever see how taro is processed by the Amazonians. Taro, their staple food, is poisonous unless processed.

In fact since wild animals are invariably more intelligent than their domesticated cousins, it could be that we are less intelligent. (Thank heavens we can cover it up by googling.)

[beauregaardhooligan]

Poi, which is made from taro, is a staple of Hawaiian food.
Taro isn't technically poisonous but has lots of indigestible fiber which could make you really sick and possibly die.
There are also taro chips available at health food stores that are made just like potato chips. I've had them, and they are really good.