I have a large reference book to which I constantly add information as it is sent to me. I recently received some information with the above title. It is interesting so I thought I'd post it here.

Ancient Egyptian Medicinal Terms

Aaa was an unidentified disease or toxic substance.
Aat was a swelling or tumor.
Antyu was a resin used for internal or external use.
Bit was a honey base for herbal ointments.
Djedfet was a snake or intestinal worm.
Hayt was a cloth bandage
Kap was fumigation, the cleansing of a living space.
Kefet was a gash or gaping wound.
Neser was the inflammation of a part of the body.

The ancient Egyptians took a pragmatic approach to healing and used cures that were successful for centuries. Some of these healing methods are still used today.

Treating Minor Wounds

Cuts and Scrapes:
The ancient Egyptian method of treating simple wounds is basically the same as modern day methods. The wound was stitched together and, when the stitching became loose, the two edges would be brought together with clean strips of clean linen. Grease and honey were applied to prevent the wound from becoming infected with dirt.

Treatment For Burns

For burns, a course of different substances was applied over five days. On the first day, black mud was applied, on day two, the excrement of sheep or other small cattle. (EEEWWWW!) On day three, an ointment made from oil, acacia, carob and barley dough was applied, and on day four, a mixture of oil, wax, papyrus and almond. Day five ended treatment with a mixture of red ocher, carob, copper flakes and an unidentified tree leaf.

Cures for Migraine and Head Colds

The Ebers Papyrus records is probably the earliest treatment for migraine, though its effectiveness is very doubtful.
The ancient cure for migraine is described as a remedy for "suffering in half of the head," which is a classic symptom for migraine sufferers. The skull of a catfish was fried in oil, then this was used to anoint the head.

Treating Head Colds

A remedy for head colds instructs the doctor to apply an ointment of equal parts of galena (lead sulphide), honey, dry incense and an unknown plant to the patient's nose. The ointment was applied (the actual phrase used us "paint the nose") daily for 4 days.

Healing Broken Bones

The ancient Egyptian treatment for a broken nose remains largely the same as today. The nose was put back in place and the nostrils cleaned until there was no blood left. Two swabs of oiled linen were inserted in the nostrils and linen bandaged on the nose. Oil, honey and lint were applied every day until the fracture healed.

To ease joint pain, an ointment was prepared from fat, bone, marrow and honey; flour, natron (salt), onion, cumin, flax and frankincense or pine was then added. Animal fat is still applied to ease rheumatism in Egypt today.

Setting Broken Bones

Wooden splints were padded with linen bandages and used to good effect by Egyptian physicians to set fractured and broken limbs. A patient with a protruding bone would have this pushed back into place by surgeons and the hole plugged with acacia bark and tightly bandaged with linen.

Do they have any cures for curses from the tombs?

I recently came accross a video blog from a local baron discussing the medieval uses for piss. It's interesting that it does have medical value, even though most people find that thought thourghly disgusting. It's also interesting to see that it's been used for that long.

There are people today that drink their urine for many supposed health benefits...I think I'll just take their word for it.



You have to dress up in your great-grandmothers' wedding dress, dance under a full moon waving a dead chicken and call out "Ali Baba" 8 times.