Medicines of Ancient Egypt
The following list gives a brief summary of some of the Medicines used by the Ancient Egyptians (from Eber’s Papyrus 1550BCE and other sources). All of these were later used in Ancient Greek and Unani Medicine.
Herbs
- Abies
- Acacia
- Ajwan seed
- Aloe vera
- Ammi
- Anise
- Balanites
- Balsam Apple (Malus sylvestris)
- Barley
- Basil
- Belladonna
- Calendula
- Camomile (Matricaria)
- Camphor
- Cannabis
- Caraway (Carum carvi)
- Cardamom (Eletarria cardamomum)
- Castor oil
- Cedar
- Celery
- Cinnamon
- Colchicum
- Colocynth
- Coriander seed
- Cornflower
- Cubeb
- Cyperus papyrus
- Dates
- Datura
- Dill
- Elder
- Endive
- Fennel
- Fenugreek
- Figs
- Frankincense
- Garlic
- Henbane
- Henna
- Hibiscus
- Honey
- Indigo
- Juniper
- Laurel
- Lawsonia
- Licorice
- Lily
- Linseed
- Lotus
- Mandrake root
- Marjoram
- Marshmallow
- Meliot
- Mint
- Moringa
- Mustard seed
- Myrrh
- Myrtle
- Nymphaea
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Opium
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Peucedanum
- Pine
- Pistacia terebinthus
- Pomegranate
- Poppy
- Radish
- Rosemary
- Rye
- Saffron
- Sage
- Sandalwood
- Senna
- Sesame seed
- Spearmint
- Styrax
- Sunflower seed
- Sycamore
- Tamarind
- Tamarisk
- Thyme
- Tumeric
- Vigna
- Wheat
- Willow
- Wormwood
Animal
- Blood (various including Bat, Dog)
- Cow Milk
- Crocodile
- Dung (various including Dog, Cat, Crocodile)
- Eggs (various)
- Fats (various including Ass, Crocodile, Cat)
- Honey
- Horns (various)
- Liver (various)
- Milk (various, including Mother’s)
- Perch
- Stag Horn
- Testicles (various)
- Uterus (including Cat)
- Wax
- Yeast
Minerals
- Cinnabar
- Copper salts
- Earth
- Iron (sulphate, oxide)
- Lead (oxide)
- Malachite
- Natron
- Ochre
- Salt
- Zinc oxide
See also:
Medicines of Hippocrates
Chinese Medicines used in the West before TCM
A good review can be read here: Traditional ancient Egyptian medicine: A review
