Our Natural Remedies: From Rome

If you read the history of ancient Rome, their era is known for religion and culture, amazing architecture and a phenomenal knowledge of natural cures and natural home remedies. The early researchers that contributing in ancient Rome natural remedies are significantly from Dioscorides,

Galen, and Pliny. They were the physicians and the early researchers for natural remedies at that time. From their efforts, the Roman remedies are still a great deal to be used until today.

Overview of Ancient Roman Medicine

Their Etruscan ancestors gave the influence in their development of anatomy and medicine. More about Dioscorides, Galen, and Pliny in ancient roman medicine:

1) Dioscorides – Dioscorides published a written record with the title De MateriaMedia or On Medicines in 78 AD. This is a Greek physician who served with the legions of Emperor Nero.

2) Pliny – Pliny inspired by the writings of Mithridated of Eupator to learn about herbs. He was involved in the Roman military and that experience prepared him to dig more about medicine. He has his own writing called HistoriaNaturalis or Natural History.

3) Galen – He was like a doctor for the gladiators in ancient Rome time. He treated gladiators and that was his opportunity to understand the human body. He wrote a book about human anatomy. His book was used up until the 18^th centuries. He explained about bloodletting and how to take pulse of the patients. His amazing skills brought him to be the court physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Home Remedies from Ancient Rome

Some of the terms from ancient Roman’s medical are still used until today. In early Rome, the medical students who graduated will take the oath. Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest binding documents since the ancient Romans. What the Romanian still used until now are the natural remedies from the ancient era. The natural remedies were listed in the medical books from the researchers in ancient Rome. Here are some of the ancient Rome natural remedies:

1) Garlic:

Galen believed that this is a good ingredient to cure-all. Garlic has the antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It can be used orally or to be applied on the body. Garlic is also the natural remedy for heart health and it is a must have in every house in Rome.

2) Fennel:

Also called sweet fennel or the fenkel, fennel is a natural remedy for soothing coughs since ancient Romans.

3) Broccoli:

Broccoli was a popular remedy during ancient Roman and it was considered as the all-purpose remedy. It was used to address the gynecological issues at that time. The other usage of broccoli at that time was to treat skin infections, digestive system conditions, and tetanus. Galen may have prescribed this vegetable to treat a patient that some kind of having a colon cancer. It was revealed in his historical accounts.

4) Marigold:

This is a fever reducer and a cooler in early Europeans. They had it as a tea.

5) Tarragon:

Pliny the ancient physician believed that tarragon could treat fatigue. Some evidence revealed that tarragon may have been supplied to the soldiers to prepare them before long marches or war.

6) Cabbage:

Cabbage has been linked to treat diseases such as joint pain, stomach ulcers, and breast engorgement. People in ancient Roman ate raw cabbage with vinegar especially before and after their meal.

7) Thyme:

Thyme was used for aiding indigestion and also confirmed to be helpful in treating coughs. People in ancient Rome also believed that sleeping on thyme will avoid or cure them from depression or melancholy.

8) Fenugreek:

The ancient Romans used Fenugreek to treat pneumonia. Fenugreek is widely used in Indian cuisine nowadays.

9) Wool [3]:

Wool was used for treating swelling and bruises. The wool was dipped in the mixture or the blend of medicine before it applied to the bruises area. Just like what we still do now for wound dressing.

10) Massage:

Body massage was recorded since in ancient Roman. It was a medical treatment between 200 and 100 BCE in ancient Romans. The therapist and also Galen incorporated massage treatment to alleviate physical injuries, body pain, symptoms of many diseases and also to loosen joints. The procedure is like the spa that we have today. Starting with a warm bath and then followed with a full body massage. The body massage also using the massage oils for extra benefits to the skin and then to stimulate the blood circulation.

11) Chamomile:

The ancient Romans use Chamomile because it is very effective to treat headaches, liver, kidney and bladder conditions. They will drink it as a tea or apply the chamomile paste on the forehead.

12) Parsley:

Parsley was like a source for energy to the gladiators and Roman soldiers. Some books stated that they would eat a lot of parsley to prepare them for battle. It believed to enhance the soldiers and gladiators strength and agility.

Our Natural Remedy website will research more about the natural remedies in ancient Rome. If you have information or natural remedies in this country, please drop a comment to share with us.