ARCHEOLOGISTS ARE FINDING EARLIER AND EARLIER EXAMPLES OF PLANTS USED BY PEOPLE AS MEDICINE. One of the most fascinating aspects of this is that peoples of many cultures, living under different conditions and at times without contact with one another, all found the same plant families medicinally active and useful. These same plant families are still used today.
When workmen excavating the ruins of Pompeii gathered the native medicinal plants growing there, Wilhelmina Jashemski discovered that this was another example of continuity of life under the shadow of Vesuvius.
Many of the plants used for herbal medicine around Pompeii today are the same one that ancient authorities such as Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder recommended for treating the same type of disorders. [1]
Oldest written records
The oldest written records that document the medicinal use of plants come from the ancient Sumerians who lived in Mesopotamia from 5500 BC.
They kept extensive written records on clay tablets that record the plants they used, what they used them for, the methods of preparation and the dosages.
The Babylonians and the Assyrians followed in their footsteps.
There was a huge trade in aromatic plants in the ancient world, most often in the forms of oils, gums and resins.
The highly skilled physicians of Egypt were well known for their use of fragrant plants; among them, cedar, myrrh and frankincense. [2]
Egyptian Medicine
Ancient Egyptian scrolls document natural herbs and holistic medicine that cured disease and saved lives.
Egyptian medical practice remained consistent in highly advanced methods for the time.
Surgery, bone-setting and an extensive pharmacopoeia were widely used by the skilled Egyptians.
Egyptian medical practitioners were held in the highest regard, and Homer [c 800BC] wrote in the Odyssey,
'The Egyptians were skilled in medicine more than any other art.'
Egyptian medical thought influenced later traditions, including the Greeks.
In 440BC the Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt and wrote extensively about their medical practices.
Pliny the Elder also wrote - and most favourably - about Egyptian medical practice.
The great Hippocrates - known as the 'Father of Medicine', Herophilos, Erasistratus, and later the luminous Galen, studied at the Temple of Amenhotep. They acknowledged the contribution of ancient Egyptian medicine to Greek medicine.
[It is interesting to note that Galen invented cold cream, which is used in face masks, lip balms, to remove make-up and as a shaving cream.
This cooling cream has both healing and moisturizing properties for the skin.]
Egyptian ancient medical documents
Ancient Egyptian medical documents have enlightened us about the extent and depth of the practitioners' knowledge.
Sets of documents include the Ebers Papyrus, the Edwin Smith Papyrus, the Hearst Papyrus, the London Medical Papyrus and others date back as far as 3000BC. [3]
The Edwin Smith Papyrus is a surgical textbook, detailing observations and the examination, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of many ailments.
It is probable that this book was written about 1600BC.
Imhotep, the famous and multi-talented Chief Official of the Pharoah Djoser, is considered to have been the author of this amazing work.
Today this Papyrus is reportedly on display at the Brooklyn's Children's Museum, New York City.
The 48 medical cases described with the Edwin Smith Papyrus are;
- 27 head injuries [cases #1-27]
- 6 throat and neck injuries [cases #28-33]
- 2 clavicular injuries (collarbone injuries) [cases #34-35]
- 3 injuries to the arm [cases #36-38]
- 8 injuries to the sternum (breastbone) [cases #39-44]
- 1 tumour and 1 abscess to the breast [cases #45-46]
- 1 injury to the shoulder [case #47]
- 1 injury to the spine [case #48] [4]
The ancient physicians were well aware of the healing power of herbs.
The Ebers Papyrus - a scroll of 110 pages which rolls out to about 20 meters long - is a famous medicine plant 'encyclopedia'.
Egyptians consumed raw garlic and onions for endurance; to heal athsma and to deal with bronchial-pulmonary illnesses.
They often steeped their herbs in wine, and used them as medicine to be taken orally [by mouth].
The Egyptian herbs were natural, uncontaminated by pesticides or fluoridated water.
Evidence of the medicinal use of myrrh, fennel, frankincense, cassia, aloe, thyme, juniper and garlic were documented by the Egyptians.
Freshly peeled garlic cloves, mashed and macerated in vinegar and water mixture, were used as a rinse for sore throats and for toothache.
Remedies described in the Ebers Papyrus
Remedies documented in the Ebers Papyrus include the use of the following herbs in varying ways for various disorders;
- Aloe vera
- Basil
- Balsam apple
- Bayberry
- Caraway
- Colchicum
- Dill
- Fenugreek
- Frankincense
- Garlic
- Licorice
- Onion
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Poppy
- Coriander
- Pomegranate root [5]
Catherine Nicolette Whittle
Phytotherapy HAOSA [South Africa]
[1] Jashemski, W. 1999. A Pompeian Herbal: Ancient and Modern Medicinal Plants. University of Texas Press, Austin
[2] Power, J. 2011. The Ancient Roots of Fragrant Medicine. A History of Aromatherapy. http://www. aromatherapy- school.com/ aromatherapy-schools/aromatherapy-articles/ history-of-aromatherapy.html
[3] Ancient Peoples.September 26. http://ancientpeoples. tumblr.com/post /32327200606/the-medicine-of-the-ancient-egyptians-is-some-of
[4] Imhotep; Wikipedia. 28 December 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Imhotep
[5] Wells, SD. 2012. Ancient Egyptian Scrolls document natural herbs and holistic medicine that saved lives and cured disease.
http://www.naturalnews.com/037218_Ancient_Egypt_medicinal_herbs_disease_cures.html
Disclaimer; This post is not intended as a guide to self-medication by consumers. The reader is advised to discuss the information contained herein with their Doctor or recognized Healthcare Practitioner. The information on this herbal post is not meant to replace your Doctor of Health professional or Herbalist care.
With thanks to W. Jashemski, J. Power, ancientpeoples.tumblr.com, Wikipedia and naturalnews.com
