Lincei05

History Of Herbal Medicine

  • Neaderthal / Cro-Magnon
    100,000 BCE

    Neaderthal / Cro-Magnon

    Neaderthal's had remnants of medicinal plants found in their teeth.
    Species discovered included:
    Althaea (Marshmallow)
    Matricaria (Chamomile)
    Achillea (Yarrow)
    Centaurium (Century)
    Valeriana (Valerian)
    Ephedra
  • Ayurvedic Medicine (Science of Life)
    2500 BCE

    Ayurvedic Medicine (Science of Life)

  • Eberys Papyrus - Egypt
    1500 BCE

    Eberys Papyrus - Egypt

    Oldest complete medical document discovered.
    Contained information on treatments fo diseases, particular detail of circulatory system.

    Included animal, plant and mineral combinations - often added honey or oil to be taken orally.
    Example ingredients: myrrh, frankinsense, coriander, cumin, dung, natron (sodium carbonate)
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
    1000 BCE

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

    Ancient Chinese understanding of body and universe, and ultimately balance - Yin & Yang
  • Assyrian Herbal
    650 BCE

    Assyrian Herbal

    660 cuniform clay tablet with over 300 plants!
    Solanacea family was most notable species listed.
  • Greco-Roman Era - Hippocrates
    400 BCE

    Greco-Roman Era - Hippocrates

    Rich history of therapeutic use of plants - "let the body heal itself."
    Developed 4 humour theory along with human temperaments, being practiced for centuries to this day!
  • Theophrastus
    350 BCE

    Theophrastus

    Known as the Father of Botany - philosopher studied with Plato and Aristotle.
    Much of his work is lost to history, mere fragments were found.
  • Early Han Period
    240 BCE

    Early Han Period

    252 plants described into 3 categories. 1. lord plants (non-toxic to sustain life) 2. minister plants (aid health in moderation) 3. assistants/runners (toxic, but effective in small doses)
  • Aulus Cornelius Celsus
    50

    Aulus Cornelius Celsus

    First to challendge humour theory, demanding proof of disease causes. First to explain the signs and symptoms of inflammation (calor, dalor, rubor, tumor)
  • Dioscorides
    80

    Dioscorides

    Greek physician, botanist that wrote 5 volume "De materia Medica". Earliest known herbal pharmacology book to be found intact.
    Overviewed relationships of natural substances on human body.
  • Galen
    200

    Galen

    Greek physician that reintroduced Hippocrates to Roman citizens. Focused on enhancing body's self healing ability. Continued to be the major approach to medicine for 1600 years!
  • Tang Dynasty - Compendium of Materia Medica
    Jan 1, 659

    Tang Dynasty - Compendium of Materia Medica

    Compiles 52 volumes and over 30 years of research - 1892 substances and 10,000 prescriptions!
  • European Medicine
    Jan 1, 850

    European Medicine

    Roots in Greek tradition - translation of Latin texts to English
  • Wise Women caring for the sick
    Mar 9, 900

    Wise Women caring for the sick

    Monastaries were the central healing places of the time, with large herb gardens often tended by the wise women healers.
  • Abbess Hildegard von Bingen
    Mar 9, 1150

    Abbess Hildegard von Bingen

    A remarkable women who had visions during her life - a clairvoyant.
    The Book of Healing Herbs was one of her great publications.
  • The Great Plauge - Black Death
    Mar 9, 1350

    The Great Plauge - Black Death

    The epidemic of bubonic plague. Changes the course of European history affecting aspects of social, religious and economic.
    Estimated 1/3 to 2/3 of the population wiped out!
  • Paracelsus
    Mar 9, 1541

    Paracelsus

    An alchemist,chemist, physician and teacher. Demanded a return to simpler medicine and introduced the Doctrine of Signatures.
  • Nicholas Culpeper

    Nicholas Culpeper

    A renowned herbalist for translating the College Physician Medical text into English as well writing the best selling herbal of all time.

    Also found common English plants to be used similarly to the more exoticand and costly ones.
  • US Pharmacopeia

    US Pharmacopeia

    First US Pharmacopeia published - contained 296 substances, 130 of which were based on the Native American tradition.
  • Thomsonian Medicine

    Thomsonian Medicine

    Sameul Thomson created a whole system for herbal medicine - known as Thomsonian Medicine. Gained over 3 million followers in his time.
  • Alexander Flexner

    Alexander Flexner

    "Flexner Report detailed guidelines and standards for practicing medicine, requiring higher expectations and evaluations.
    Forced many smaller Eclectic schools to close due to insufficient funding and/or recognition"
  • Present day herbalism

    Present day herbalism

    Clearly, the modern rebirth of herbal medicines and the tendency of consumers to combine herbal, prescription, and over-the-counter medicines gives us once again the responsibility to learn about herbal medicines, routinely talk with patients about them, and take steps to guide patients appropriately.