Introduction
The Ancient Egyptians lived in mud-brick houses which tended to remain damp and was poorly ventilated. This could lead to various disorders like tuberculosis and bronchitis. Also contaminated water from the Nile generally led to horrible diseases. Due to the risk and spread of disease, this was probably why it was an important priority to keep clean to be healthy. They had to know ways to heal a person with an ailment otherwise it could pose threat of contaminating other people too. The Egyptians identified around 200 different types of illnesses so they had to find cures for them to keep the population numbers up and everyone to enjoy their life.
TreatmentsAncient Egyptian doctors and physicians were they ones who cured sick people. The medicine they used had animal products, minerals, vegetables, really anything that was in their environment and by chance the collected items were useful in terms of illnesses. Some ingredients they thought were helpful were really bizarre like animal dung. This might have useful fermentation substances, but mostly it would have caused many serious infections as it was infested with bacteria. They also created many medicines contained revolting ingredients which supposedly helped. This was probably the medicine anyone suffering diseases like tuberculosis and polio as there has not been any direct information of any other remedies. The main types of treatments contained cooked mice, animal dung, fat from animals, herbs, medicinal plants and spells. Though it is not know why or the helpful properties in it, cooked mice was used extensively in different ways, and combined with other ingredients, in lots of Egyptian medicine. Ancient Egyptian doctors did also use effective medical treatments. They would massage aching legs, arms and backs. Specialised doctors could fix broken bones and pull out infected teeth. They gave good advice like to eat carefully and to avoid raw fish and unclean animals. They would give oils to the people to stop their skins drying out in the hot desert sun. The doctors would also cover wounds with raw meat. This stopped the bleeding from the wound. It was then followed by being dressed with honey and some type of grease like oil. This was a really effective treatment as honey was good at soaking up fluids, reduce swelling, is antibacterial and bacteria cannot grow on it. For pain relief the patients usually drank lots of beer and took aspirins. In their time it came in the form of tea made from the willow tree. Now days we still use the willow tree to make our aspirins but just in the form of a small tablet.
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Herbal RemediesHerbs played a major part in Egyptian medicine. Even though there was a limited amount in Egypt itself, but from trading with other cities in Asia they were able to buy many herbs and spices that has helped them for their medication and pharmaceutical uses. These remedies were recorded in herbal papyrus which contained the name of the natural ingredient and the recipe. Everything was carefully measured in cups. Here are some herbs the Ancient Egyptians used and the healing properties they thought it had-
Garlic and onion were consumed in large quantities with the thought that it aided endurance. Onions also helped again problems of the digestive system and fresh garlic cloves were eaten to treat sore throats and toothache. Mashed garlic, applied externally, was beneficial for bronchial and lung complaints like the cold. Coriander was used as a spice but also had cooling, stimulant and digestive properties. It was also taken as a tea for stomach and urinary complaints. The leaves gave a fresh flavour to spicy foods to moderate their irritating effects. Cumin seeds were considered to reduce gas in the body. It was also often mixed with coriander for flavouring. Cumin powder paste was applied to relieve pain of any aching or arthritic joints. Turmeric was also consumed as a spice but when added water to it making a paste, it could be applied to heal wounds. Leaves from many plants, usually the willow tree, was used as a bandage over injuries. Castor oil, figs and dates were used as laxatives. Frankincense was used as an antiseptic wash for the mouth and the throat. It could also be used a pain killer. Liquorice was eaten as it helped stop coughs and moisten the lungs. Aloe vera could be consumed internally as an anti-parasitic but was mainly used externally on burns to relieve the pain. |