Journal of Medicinal Plants: ResearchVol. 4:2 (2010)
Abstract
Civilization in Ancient Egypt was not only the pyramids and tombs, but it involved all aspects of human life. Health and wellbeing was one of the most cared arts by the pharaohs. Both the physicians and magicians participated in the field of medical care. From holistic view they conceived health and sickness as an unceasing fight between good and evil. Most of the complementary medicine modalities were originated from ancient Egyptians. One of these modalities is herbal medicine, which is the subject we are going to spot light on in this review. Our comments depended on what Ancient Egyptians recorded in their medical papyri.
Introduction
Not all of Egyptian medicine was based on wishful thinking, much was the result of experimentation and observation, and physical means supplemented the magical ones. Apart from spiritual healing and herbal medicine, Ancient Egyptians practiced massage and manipulation and made extensive use of therapeutic herbs and foods, but surgery was only rarely part of their treatments.
According to Herodotus there was a high degree of specialization among physicians. The Egyptians were advanced medical practitioners for their time. They were masters of human anatomy and healing mostly due to the extensive mummification ceremonies. This involved removing most of the internal organs including the brain, lungs, pancreas, liver, spleen, heart and intestine.
To some extent, they had a basic knowledge of organ functions within the human body. Their great knowledge of anatomy, as well as (in the later dynasties) the crossover of knowledge between the Greeks and other culture areas, led to an extensive knowledge of the functioning of the organs, and branched into many other medical practices. Herodotus and Pliny were among Greek scholars, who got benefit from this cross over and further contributed to the ancient and modern medical records, reached from the time of Ancient Egypt and into the modern era.
N. H. Aboelsoud
Journal of Medicinal Plants: Research Vol. 4:2 (2010)
Abstract
Civilization in Ancient Egypt was not only the pyramids and tombs, but it involved all aspects of human life. Health and wellbeing was one of the most cared arts by the pharaohs. Both the physicians and magicians participated in the field of medical care. From holistic view they conceived health and sickness as an unceasing fight between good and evil. Most of the complementary medicine modalities were originated from ancient Egyptians. One of these modalities is herbal medicine, which is the subject we are going to spot light on in this review. Our comments depended on what Ancient Egyptians recorded in their medical papyri.
Introduction
Not all of Egyptian medicine was based on wishful thinking, much was the result of experimentation and observation, and physical means supplemented the magical ones. Apart from spiritual healing and herbal medicine, Ancient Egyptians practiced massage and manipulation and made extensive use of therapeutic herbs and foods, but surgery was only rarely part of their treatments.
According to Herodotus there was a high degree of specialization among physicians. The Egyptians were advanced medical practitioners for their time. They were masters of human anatomy and healing mostly due to the extensive mummification ceremonies. This involved removing most of the internal organs including the brain, lungs, pancreas, liver, spleen, heart and intestine.
To some extent, they had a basic knowledge of organ functions within the human body. Their great knowledge of anatomy, as well as (in the later dynasties) the crossover of knowledge between the Greeks and other culture areas, led to an extensive knowledge of the functioning of the organs, and branched into many other medical practices. Herodotus and Pliny were among Greek scholars, who got benefit from this cross over and further contributed to the ancient and modern medical records, reached from the time of Ancient Egypt and into the modern era.
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