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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 -
2500 BCE
Ayurvedic Medicine (Science of Life)
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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) -
1000 BCE
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Ancient Chinese understanding of body and universe, and ultimately balance - Yin & Yang -
650 BCE
Assyrian Herbal
660 cuniform clay tablet with over 300 plants!
Solanacea family was most notable species listed. -
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! -
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. -
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) -
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) -
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. -
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! -
Jan 1, 659
Tang Dynasty - Compendium of Materia Medica
Compiles 52 volumes and over 30 years of research - 1892 substances and 10,000 prescriptions! -
Jan 1, 850
European Medicine
Roots in Greek tradition - translation of Latin texts to English -
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. -
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. -
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! -
Mar 9, 1541
Paracelsus
An alchemist,chemist, physician and teacher. Demanded a return to simpler medicine and introduced the Doctrine of Signatures. -
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
First US Pharmacopeia published - contained 296 substances, 130 of which were based on the Native American tradition. -
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
"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
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.
