Egypt is an ancient civilization that predates the birth of Christ. Known for their advanced mathematical skills and amazing accomplishments in construction and artistry, they are also one of the forerunners to the modern acceptance of herbal healing. Since Egypt is a dry, arid country dominated by the burning Sahara Desert most of the population, both ancient and modern, built their homes along the Nile River. There the soil was black and rich providing ideal conditions for growing the essential gardens. Even imported plants flourished.
Among the wealthy people in that ancient culture the gardens were very formal in their layout with floral edging along green shrubs. They liked to have a fish pond in the center and they were the only ones that could grow trees because of their proximity to the Nile and their advanced irrigation systems. Among the trees were figs, dates and olives, all considered to have medicinal properties. Their gardens would contain plants for food, as well as plants for medicinal purposes, and sometimes these overlapped. The less wealthy concentrated on gardens with vegetables and herbs since they could not water trees and flowers. There irrigation system was a tool called a shaduf constructed of a bucket on a pole with a mud weight on the other end. The shaduf allowed gardeners to carry large amounts of water at a time.
History of Medicine in Ancient Egypt
Egyptian physicians were far advanced in their medical practices. Their use of herbal combinations and magic spells became renowned, promoting them as a superior healing culture. The Egyptian pharmacopoeia (book of healing recipes) was much sought after. Egypt is alleged to have the earliest recorded physician in world history. His name was Hesyre. The Lady Peseshet (around 2400 BC) was thought to be the first female doctor mentioned in world history. The online Wikipedia, when referencing Ancient Egyptian Medicine, states that 'While anicent Egyptian remedies are often characterized in modern culture by magical incantations and dubious ingredients research in Biomedical Egyptology shows they were often effective. . .Medical texts specified specific steps of examination, diagnosis, prognosis and treatments that were often rational and appropriate.'
Herb Plants for Healing
Many of the plants grown by the Egyptians for healing purposes are still found in gardens today. Some of the more common varieties are dill, which was mixed with wine and raisins as a pain killer. Cumin was widely used for stomach upsets and parsley and celery stewed together became a diuretic. Among some of the less common, but still available herbal plants, are safflower which was made into a paste to coat bites and stings. Wormwood was ingested to dispel worms and used for skin aliments. Chicory, used now in the American South to flavor coffee, was added to vinegar and drunk as a headache cure, or to treat the liver.
Common Vegetables Used for Medicinal Purposes
Many vegetables and even fruit were widely used in Ancient Egypt to ward off ills. For the nursing mother cucumber was applied to the breasts to increase lactation. Garlic, when mixed with honey, is an effective sedative for insect bites. Celery can be ground in oil and made into a pack for swollen limbs. Watermelon was once thought to be powerful in warding off dark spirits and demons, especially when mixed with wine.
Fruits and Spices Used in Healing
Spices were once used extensively for embalming but some Egyptians found other purposes for items like cinnamon, cardamom and thyme. Thyme, made into a tea, treated stomach complaints while cardamom stimulated the stomach and improved the appetite. Cinnamon mixed with oil and honey was used for a number of aliments most commonly those of the mouth and gums.
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