A Brief Discussion of the Application of Aspirin in Agricultural Production

[Editor's note: This claim is disputed; orchid growers should use it with caution.] Aspirin was first produced by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer, one hundred and ten years ago, and is a great contribution Bayer has made to humanity. As early as over two thousand years ago, people already used willow bark, willow root bark, willow branches and willow leaves to treat human illnesses, using decoctions of them to treat various pains, fevers and other conditions. It was not until more than two thousand years later that people learned that willow bark contains "aspirin." At that time it was an extract, not appearing as aspirin, but as a substance called salicylate (glycoside) (salicylic acid). Today's salicylic acid is a synthetic product and is still used as a medicine. Because salicylic acid has a strong irritating effect on the oral and gastric mucosa, it cannot be taken orally; instead it is made into tinctures, powders and ointments for use in surgery and dermatology, to treat stubborn tinea-type skin diseases. Aspirin is called acetylsalicylic acid (acetyl salicylate), and is made by reacting salicylic acid with acetic anhydride. Of course, it too is artificially synthesized. In the medical field, aspirin has antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects. Its antipyretic and analgesic effects are mild yet reliable. In recent years it has also been used for cardiovascular diseases, which has gained recognition in the medical community. Now it is also being used in plant cultivation, opening up new uses. Soaking seeds and sowing with aspirin can raise the seed germination rate and the rate of strong sprouts, making the new seedlings grow vigorously. Used in the transplanting of seedlings and trees, it promotes the growth of new roots and new buds, and can improve the drought resistance of crops. Used inorchid growingthere are actually few reports in the industry's research, but some people use it, and it is indeed effective. Spraying orchid leaves with an aspirin aqueous solution can improveorchid plants' immunity, effectively preventing the occurrence of white silk disease,soft rotdisease and black spot disease, and can also greatly reduce pests. Used incultivatingwild-collected orchidsit protects orchid roots and promotes new roots. It has the effect of producing early buds. Spraying orchid roots and leaves with an aspirin aqueous solution has the function of disease resistance and sterilization; after the moisture dries, they can be potted and planted. Used in the tending and growing oforchidsan aspirin aqueous solution can be sprayed on orchid leaves, once every quarter, and it has an effect on the growth of orchid seedlings, the use of light and the promotion offlowering. Aspirin is not a fertilizer, and it cannot be used in excess or sprayed too frequently, otherwise it will cause physiological disorders in orchid seedlings and outsmart oneself. Dosage: a 2000-fold aspirin aqueous solution is relatively safe and also gives good results. That is, use one gram of aspirin raw powder mixed with two kilograms of water to make a 2000-fold solution. It should be explained that what pharmacies sell on the market are mostly aspirin tablets, with specifications and contents of 0.05 g, 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g and 0.5 g. This refers to the dose (content) of aspirin contained in each tablet, not the weight of one tablet. Another type is a compound preparation of aspirin called compound aspirin (A.P.C), each tablet containing 0.2268 g of aspirin, 0.16 g of phenacetin and 0.035 g of caffeine. Both of the above types of tablets contain excipients (such as starch, etc.); without excipients they cannot be pressed into tablets. Using these tablets has drawbacks, as it easily causes dosage errors, so it is best not to use them. You can use pure aspirin powder; when using it, simply weigh the correct amount with a medical balance (pure aspirin powder can be bought from your local pharmaceutical company). It should also be mentioned that aspirin is difficult to dissolve in water, so when using it, it should first be dissolved in a small amount of alcohol and then mixed with water. Only in this way can the utilization rate and the absorption rate by orchid seedlings be improved, and of course the ideal effect will then appear. Note: It is suggested that authoritative figures in the horticultural field devote themselves to research, so that aspirin can play a greater role in theorchid growingundertaking. Pharmacist in charge Liu Huijin Address: No. 6, Unit 1, Building 15, Jingangli West District, Taiyuan Postcode: 030009 Telephone: 3330549 Jin Weng