| |
Greece was previously regarded as the origin of medicinal science; it has been proven that it all started with an Egyptian. Imhotep, also termed as the Prince of Peace, was the African genius who invented the art of medicine and healing. Imhotep supposedly received a book of healing from ancestral African forces, which was then given to the world and the foundation of modern medicine and surgery.
This pioneer was appreciated by the entire ancient world. Even the Greek’s renowned Father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, celebrated this man of wisdom. According to scientists who have been scrutinizing documents as old as three centuries ago, ancient Egypt was the mother of modern medicine. The medical papyri studied by these scientists were written around 2,500 BC, about a century before the birth of Hippocrates.
Imhotep remains the world’s first ever physician and first doctor, among other specifications as a priest, sage, poet, astrologer, and scribe to mention just a few. And more to it, he was an architect, credited for his building of Egypt’s first pyramid. Imhotep is also believed to be the author of Edwin Smith Papyrus with over 48 described injuries and more than 90 anatomical terms. Besides, he founded a school of medicine in the area of Memphis, known to have existed for about two centuries.
Ancient Egyptian medical practitioners used honey, resins and antimicrobial elemental metals to treat wounds. Interestingly, this way of things is still practiced in the medical world to date. The most intriguing thing is that some of the remedies that Egyptian physicians prescribed were more than modern expectation. Such include saffron and celery, which were used for rheumatism are now at the heart of research on pharmaceutical field.
Moreover, pomegranate, which was used to fight tapeworms, has been used in clinical settings until the last five decades. Additionally, laxatives prescriptions included colocynth, castor oil. These are also used in our times for the same purposes.
Figs and bulk bran were used for promoting regularity, the same order that is done today in the medical arena. According to other references, as it is the case today, hyoscyamus was essential for treating colic. Coriander and cumin were useful as intestinal carminatives.
For musculoskeletal disorders, rubefacients were used to trigger blood flow as well as poultices, warming and soothing. The same is applied in modern times in sport medicine. Again, for cough remedy, Acacia is an essential solution, and aloes make the best solution for soothing and healing different skin conditions. The Egyptian physicians also came up with the use of essential oils and resins. Generally, about half of plants being used today were also used in ancient Egypt clinical setting.
Ancient Egyptian physicians were long forgotten as the origin practitioners of medicine. But despite this fact, it is safe to say that they were an essential part of the beginning of a new era of dealing with ailments. Considering that most of their practices are still in use today, it is obvious the sophistication of this medicine tech from centuries ago was a big breakthrough. Apparently, this knowledge will continue into the future of this essential field in society.