Salicylic Acid: Properties, Uses and History

Salicylic Acid Properties, Uses and HistorySalicylic hot is imbed naturally in the scramble of the willow tree. It has been apply for centuries to relieve a variety of ailments. It has too been developed in a variety of harvestings in the argonas of strip charge, cosmetics and go relief. Salicylic demigod is a wonder drug. But what are its physical and chemic properties? What chemical reactions are use in manufacturing and using salicylic blistering? Does it fabricate any safety essays to society and the environment?Salicylic acid was discovered by the Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century BC.1He found that the bitter powder extracted from willow bark could relieve aches and variant and slim fevers.2The remedy is too mentioned in writings from ancient Sumer, Lebanon, and Assyria. Cherokee and other autochthonic Ameri freighters employ the bark for fever and other medicinal purposes for centuries. The medicinal tell apart of the plant is the inner bark. It is apply as a pain easing for a variety of ailments. The reverend Edward Stone from Oxfordshire, England found in 1763 that willow bark was useful in reducing fever.The active extract of the bark is called Salicin, after the Latin name of the white willow (salix alba).3The extract was set-apart and named by Johann Buchner in Germany in 1826. A larger amount of the agency was isolated in 1828 by the French pharmacists, Hanri Laroux.4The Italian chemist, Raffaele Piria was able to shift the extract into a chemical which become salicylic acid when it oxidises.5In 1839, Salicylic acid was in like manner extracted by German researchers from the herb meadowsweet (Filpendula ulmaria). This extract was actionive nevertheless it suit of clothesd digestive problems such as gastric irritation, bleeding, diarrhoea and death if consumed in senior amplyschool doses.6UsesSalicylic Acid is still use today to alleviate aches and pains and to abridge fevers. It was used as an anti-infl ammatory drug drug even in ancient judgment of convictions.Salicylic is a main ingredient in many skin care products treating acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. Salicylic acid works as a keratolytic and comedolytic agent. It causes the cells of the epidermis to throw away more easily, opening clotted pores and neutralizing bacteria within. It screw also counter pores from clogging up again by constricting pore diameter, and allowing for impertinently cell growth. Due to its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in some shampoos to treat dandruff.PropertiesSalicylic Acid has the appearance of a neutral crystalline powder. It is odourless or may have a dismiss phenolic odour.7It has a sweetish taste.8It has a melting point of 159C and a sublimation point of 76C. Its relative density is 1.4 compared to water which has a relative density of 1. Its solubility in water is 0.2 g/ one hundred ml at 20C.9It is soluble in alcohol, ether, boiling wate r.10It has a pH of 2.4.It is a polar molecule which explains its low solubility in water. It was a molar mass of 138.1 g/mol. Its chemical formula is C6H4(OH)COOH and an falsifiable formula of C7H6O3. It will auto-ignite at as low as 540C. It is a relatively stable compound but oxidizing agents, strong bases, iodine, and fluorine may cause strong reactions.11It is also sensitive to light. It give the gate be offensive if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. It is an irritant.Manufacturing Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid forms in temperament in Salix, the bark of the willow tree. While the powder extracted from the bark could be sold today, it rarely is because it purity is non constant.To make salicylic acid in a lab, chemists female genitals put sodium phenoxide and carbon dioxide under high pressurization.12Once this mixture is acidified using sulphuric acid, salicylic acid will result. This lick is called a Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. This method results in much purer and more consistent product that can be used of pharmaceutical or commercial preparations. employ Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid works on skin by emollient keratin, one of the proteins in the skin structure. With the keratin softened, the skin sheds easier. When being used for warts the skin is softened and the wart can fall off. When being used for acne, the increased shedding prevents clogging in the pore.Medications like salicylic acid are called keratolytics because they can soften and facilitate the exfoliation of cutaneous cells. Salicylic acid is also a comedolytic medication because it can break up comedones and open clogged pores.Salicylic Acid, when taken orally, is also an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory. It can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Salicylic acid blocks the production of certain hormones called prostaglandins that are released from damaged cells. Prostaglandins, if not blocked, inductive reasoning the release of other hormones that cause the nerves to be sensitive to pain. By blocking prostaglandins, the pain and inflammation are significantly reduced.Economic Benefits there are many economic benefits to manufacturing salicylic acid. Since it relives aches, reduces fevers and is anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce the time people miss at school and at work. For employers, students and the entire deliverance this is a benefit. With people being in less pain and not suffering from fevers and swelling, visits to the hospital and doctors office will be reduced. This will ease the load on the medical system. One can imagine how high the sales of aspirin are and this would not be possible without salicylic acid. there is obviously also a tremendous economic benefit to the bring to pass of many skin care products that use salicylic acid. Acne, wart, psoriasis, calluses, corns and keratosis are rattling cat valium ailments therefore sales of the skin care products would be very high. thither is money to be made in the area of cosmeti cs with products to exfoliate epidermal cells and open clogged pores. In addition to this, sales of dandruff shampoo and offer aids (both of which contain salicylic acid or its derivatives), mustiness be very high.The history of salicylic acid represents continual technological development. What started as a elementary extract from the willow tree became many useful products over the centuries. passim history chemists have worked hard to develop additional uses for salicylic acid. Chemists discovered its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties have been researched and have helped the development of modern anti-inflammatory medications.SafetySalicylic acid can be harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin. If inhaled, it can cause effects such as coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. If ingested in a large amount salicylism may result which is characterised by group AB pain, vomiting, mental disturbances and increased respiration.13It is a mild irritant and may cause a skin rash in individuals that are sensitive to it. Salicylic acid is an extreme eye irritant which was shown in animal testing.14Chronic ikon to salicylic acid can cause central nervous disturbances as near as convulsions. It may cause harm to an unborn child although the effects of salicylic acid during pregnancy have not been fully investigated. The salicylic acid used topically is usually very diluted at only 2% or used in a very small amount. addition the amount absorbed through the skin is very low. Therefore the risk to an individual applying it topically is minimal.Salicylic acid should be stored in a tightly closed container that is stored in a cool, dry and ventilated place. It should be protect from physical damage and kept away from any source of fondness, touchwood or oxidizing materials. Care should be takes to avoid dust formation as it can ignite. Empting the contents of a salicylic acid container should be done with care as empting it into an at mosphere where flammable vapours are present can cause a flash fire. Salicylic acid should always be stored in the dark.When salicylic acid is released into soil it will quickly biodegrade. The same will legislate when it is released into water. Because it quickly biodegrade, there is not a major environmental effect of salicylic acid. However, it should be still disposed of properly. The low concentrations that are found in many skin care products can be disposed of in the garbage. With Large concentrations or large amounts of salicylic acid, they should be disposed of carefully. They should be brought to a licenced waste disposal contractor that observes all local and bailiwick regulations.15Other Interesting Facts about Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid has been used as a food preservative. It works as one because of its antiseptic properties. It has to be used in very small doses because of its toxicity at high doses. It is no longer used as a food preservative anymore because of c oncerns with using any antiseptics in human food.16Salicylic acid can cause ear damage when taken orally because it inhibits prestin. This only happens in people with a zinc deficiency. However if zinc is injected, the hearing going can be reversed.17Salicylic acid, was once the worlds bestselling drug in 1898.18Salicylic acid is also a plant hormone that causes an increase in growth, flowering and heat production.19It is clear that salicylic acid is a very valuable substance. It has many uses and applications in medicine and cosmetics. It was been available to us for centuries. Salicylic acid is an odourless, colourless crystalline powder. It can react with certain chemicals. It is manufactured in a Kolbe-Schmitt reaction and it is used to soften the skin making it good for treating many ailments. Salicylic acid must be stored safely and disposed of properly.