As a matter of interest, the Ancients did indeed have access to soap, had they chosen to use it, which generally they didn’t. And of course Aspirin, being a synthetic extract of the bark of the willow tree, was also commonly used for the treatment of various ailments in the form of a tincture. (The chemistry is quite interesting in itself.)
Well attested too that in the Middle Ages physicians would pack wounds with spider webs and the green mould from old bread, so who knows…. maybe they had a better understanding of these things than we give them credit for.
I have thought about that many times - but it's usually with regards to the Egyptians who also used mold to fight infections. I think though when autopsies were banned, knowledge of the human body quickly regresses. And I know Hippocrates did encourage strict hygiene practices that were remarkable.
All well documented, i think you and i have read the same sources. I wonder if that is why 'witches' are associated with spider webs, their use in healing ?
That I hadn’t considered but it sounds entirely plausible.
Interestingly - for some at least - there isn’t actually enough acetylsalycilic acid - aka Aspirin - in the bark of the willow tree to have any significant therapeutic effect, so there must be something else in the bark which, acting in combination or symbiotically makes the tincture effective.
I use and take my own white willow bark tincture. I do believe there is. I suspect it varies from tree to tree, what ever it is. works amazing when combined with turmeric and black pepper. equal to over the counter drugs. i part white willow to 2 parts turmeric and tiny bit of black pepper. it never wears off.
How fascinating. Has anyone tried to recreate it?? And did Marcus Aurelius have poor health before or after he started having daily doses of viper flesh and opium??
Hmm. fascinating. I very much enjoyed this! were i to formulate something now, it could be sources from the world over. the finest shilajit, 100 year old ginseng, maybe some black frankincense, and of course some of the a fore mentioned herbs. Not sure about the viper flesh tho. and one Could substitute california poppy for opium poppy,
, but one might not be so detached... a fine example of early marketing strategies. Galen was indeed a pioneer.
it would. I would not market it as an anti poison tho. Activated charcoal is only so good, and only in some cases. Topical poisons will get you every time. And taking it combined with anything else is pointless. there are all sorts of supplements like that already. L-Taurine is said to extend life (it doubles the life of rodents) , the basic herbs i mentioned, so many other things. Really, what works from me will not probably work for you. It boils down to individuality and personal constitution.
Thank you for this fascinating article (and good title as well). I understood that Marcus Aurelius spent much of his life out in the field, and assumed that camping and being out in nature would have been healthy, much healthier than congested court life.
Love the history! What most forget about the ozempic of today, is that our blood sugar is changed by wireless radiation, which did not exist before 1850.
This is why diabetes is an electrical illness, and does not help to be tracked with iPhone blood sugar monitors:
When I was in Crete a few years ago, I prepared for my holiday by reading The Cretan Runner by George Psychoundakis, translated by Patrick Leigh Fermor. It told the tale of a Cretan shepherd employed by the Churchill's SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the 2nd World War to assist them in carrying out guerrilla operations against the occupying Nazis. Incidentally a fantastic read.
These shepherds were famed for their ability to travel huge distances on foot at speed using their local knowledge to confound the Nazi invaders. In particular their ability to bound indefatigably form rock to rock over steep terrain was put down to the strength of their fascia. But what helped them develop such extraordinary stamina?
In the story reference is made to a wonder compound used in the preparation of a traditional stew that made up a great part of their diet. The key ingredient of this compound was the oil of the the indigenous Rock Rose (Latin name: Cistus). This is a plant that scrambles up the steepest and sunniest rock faces. The oil is harvested by the shepherds combing it from the beards of their goats who love to scramble up the cliffs to eat it, inadvertently collecting the oil in their dangling beards.
Coincidentally, when landing in Crete my son had great pressure pain in his ears from the descent. When by the next day it had not cleared of it own accord, we set off to the nearest small town to buy some proprietary decongestant.
When we explained the problem to the very cheerful chemist, he immediately said words to the effect that we did not need Sudafed or anything like that as he had his own remedy. He then reached under the counter and brought out a large tin In which resided a large block of a greenish brown waxy substance. The pharmacist explained that this was a mountain remedy that he made to an ancient recipe using thyme, rosemary and other herbs and plants from the island. He then produced a small circular screw top tin, resembling a snuff tin for those old enough to remember them, which, using a spatula, he filled with the ointment and encouraged my son to dab some up his nose. Remarkably, within seconds his sinuses and ears cleared. I have since used it on cuts, insect bites and for all possible medical purposes.
Wow! Amazing! There really are so many wonderful remedies in existence that we haven't tested or thought about seriously, but I suspect with time will... (or at least I hope so!)
Sounds as if Marcus Aurelius’s poor breathing could have been caused by allergies to grasses etc. in the fields, which may have given him asthma. Think he could have done with cortisone and a variety of puffers to help ..he would have been over the moon had he been given even a Ventolin puffer, poor man.
Am I the only one who scrolled through wondering how I could get my hands on some?
Only partly joking.
Haa haa! I thought the snake venom was a bit of a turn off...
I'll consider anything, depending on the day. Haha!
No, I was absolutely thinking the same.
Available at Walmart, lol, can’t vouch for the quality
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Theriac-Advanced-Healing-Ointment-Ideal-for-minor-cuts-scrapes-and-burns-0-5-Ounces/1257102490?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101027103&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=222222222281257102490_101027103_158991344567_20717497621&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=679533189738&wl4=pla-2239659022688&wl5=9007324&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=553851355&wl11=online&wl12=1257102490_101027103&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIptTRBaK8pxmNsrq12kiisKO&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsJO4BhDoARIsADDv4vCRpb3fhzf0pI9oT9j0_AM8SOLHgloDUjdhOUQ_p0yz6yCOIPTC41YaAoPOEALw_wcB
Haaa haa! I Hadn't realised! Good marketing...
Shame I’m on the other side of the ocean 😅
Thanks very much for sharing your writings.
As a matter of interest, the Ancients did indeed have access to soap, had they chosen to use it, which generally they didn’t. And of course Aspirin, being a synthetic extract of the bark of the willow tree, was also commonly used for the treatment of various ailments in the form of a tincture. (The chemistry is quite interesting in itself.)
Well attested too that in the Middle Ages physicians would pack wounds with spider webs and the green mould from old bread, so who knows…. maybe they had a better understanding of these things than we give them credit for.
I have thought about that many times - but it's usually with regards to the Egyptians who also used mold to fight infections. I think though when autopsies were banned, knowledge of the human body quickly regresses. And I know Hippocrates did encourage strict hygiene practices that were remarkable.
All well documented, i think you and i have read the same sources. I wonder if that is why 'witches' are associated with spider webs, their use in healing ?
Thank you.
That I hadn’t considered but it sounds entirely plausible.
Interestingly - for some at least - there isn’t actually enough acetylsalycilic acid - aka Aspirin - in the bark of the willow tree to have any significant therapeutic effect, so there must be something else in the bark which, acting in combination or symbiotically makes the tincture effective.
I use and take my own white willow bark tincture. I do believe there is. I suspect it varies from tree to tree, what ever it is. works amazing when combined with turmeric and black pepper. equal to over the counter drugs. i part white willow to 2 parts turmeric and tiny bit of black pepper. it never wears off.
Thanks for the tip - will give it a try
How fascinating. Has anyone tried to recreate it?? And did Marcus Aurelius have poor health before or after he started having daily doses of viper flesh and opium??
I believe he had poor health throughout his life... but I can't imagine the viper flesh helped...
No!!
Viper flesh? Just some added protein. 😉
It's ok It's an "adjuvant" ! hahaha! i kid.
Hmm. fascinating. I very much enjoyed this! were i to formulate something now, it could be sources from the world over. the finest shilajit, 100 year old ginseng, maybe some black frankincense, and of course some of the a fore mentioned herbs. Not sure about the viper flesh tho. and one Could substitute california poppy for opium poppy,
, but one might not be so detached... a fine example of early marketing strategies. Galen was indeed a pioneer.
Well said! It would be fun to concoct such a potion today.
it would. I would not market it as an anti poison tho. Activated charcoal is only so good, and only in some cases. Topical poisons will get you every time. And taking it combined with anything else is pointless. there are all sorts of supplements like that already. L-Taurine is said to extend life (it doubles the life of rodents) , the basic herbs i mentioned, so many other things. Really, what works from me will not probably work for you. It boils down to individuality and personal constitution.
Thank you for this fascinating article (and good title as well). I understood that Marcus Aurelius spent much of his life out in the field, and assumed that camping and being out in nature would have been healthy, much healthier than congested court life.
I imagine both would have their advantages/disadvantages. There are so many diseases that spread among armies easily...
Love the history! What most forget about the ozempic of today, is that our blood sugar is changed by wireless radiation, which did not exist before 1850.
This is why diabetes is an electrical illness, and does not help to be tracked with iPhone blood sugar monitors:
https://romanshapoval.substack.com/p/diabetes
So first catch your goat....
When I was in Crete a few years ago, I prepared for my holiday by reading The Cretan Runner by George Psychoundakis, translated by Patrick Leigh Fermor. It told the tale of a Cretan shepherd employed by the Churchill's SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the 2nd World War to assist them in carrying out guerrilla operations against the occupying Nazis. Incidentally a fantastic read.
These shepherds were famed for their ability to travel huge distances on foot at speed using their local knowledge to confound the Nazi invaders. In particular their ability to bound indefatigably form rock to rock over steep terrain was put down to the strength of their fascia. But what helped them develop such extraordinary stamina?
In the story reference is made to a wonder compound used in the preparation of a traditional stew that made up a great part of their diet. The key ingredient of this compound was the oil of the the indigenous Rock Rose (Latin name: Cistus). This is a plant that scrambles up the steepest and sunniest rock faces. The oil is harvested by the shepherds combing it from the beards of their goats who love to scramble up the cliffs to eat it, inadvertently collecting the oil in their dangling beards.
Coincidentally, when landing in Crete my son had great pressure pain in his ears from the descent. When by the next day it had not cleared of it own accord, we set off to the nearest small town to buy some proprietary decongestant.
When we explained the problem to the very cheerful chemist, he immediately said words to the effect that we did not need Sudafed or anything like that as he had his own remedy. He then reached under the counter and brought out a large tin In which resided a large block of a greenish brown waxy substance. The pharmacist explained that this was a mountain remedy that he made to an ancient recipe using thyme, rosemary and other herbs and plants from the island. He then produced a small circular screw top tin, resembling a snuff tin for those old enough to remember them, which, using a spatula, he filled with the ointment and encouraged my son to dab some up his nose. Remarkably, within seconds his sinuses and ears cleared. I have since used it on cuts, insect bites and for all possible medical purposes.
The name of the ointment was Cistus!
Wow! Amazing! There really are so many wonderful remedies in existence that we haven't tested or thought about seriously, but I suspect with time will... (or at least I hope so!)
Even if it doesn’t do a thing, placebo is strangely powerful, the most mysterious wonder drug of all
That is very true...
Medications omg hahaha
Sounds as if Marcus Aurelius’s poor breathing could have been caused by allergies to grasses etc. in the fields, which may have given him asthma. Think he could have done with cortisone and a variety of puffers to help ..he would have been over the moon had he been given even a Ventolin puffer, poor man.