Penicillium and Poplar Bark (salicylic acid) found in mouth of El Sidron Neanderthal

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In: "Neanderthal Dental Plaque Shows What a Paleo Diet Really Looks Like "

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/03/neanderthal-dental-plaque-shows-what-a-paleo-diet-really-looks-like/518949/

Ed Yong writes:

"One of the El Sidron Neanderthals even seemed to be self-medicating with edible plants. One of his teeth had an abscess, and his plaque contained a parasite that causes diarrhea. But the plaque also contained Penicillium, the mould that produces the antibiotic penicillin, and poplar bark, a natural source of the aspirin-like painkiller, salicylic acid."

This was stated in the context of Dr. Weyrich (and team's) investigation of ancient dental plaque.

Perhaps someone will add this under the Diet heading and properly add the reference. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jsusky (talkcontribs) 01:45, 17 January 2019 (UTC)Reply