Many areas in Egyptology appear unappealing at first glance, including an analysis of advancements and changes in Egyptian medicine. Ancient Egypt has always been considered a stereotypically conservative civilization, committed to the conservation of old ideas and methods that have been meticulously upheld down the ages with minimal to no alteration. However, it is noteworthy that for its era, the Egyptian nation was highly developed in medical practices. The intensive mummification rituals made Egyptians experts in body structures and treatment (Allen 2005:3). This procedure required the removal of the majority of the vital organs (Ritner 2000:108). The Egyptians had a fundamental understanding of how the various organs in the body worked (Younis Haggag et al. 1997:45). Their thorough understanding of physiology and, in later periods, the information exchange between the Greek empire and other cultural groups resulted in a deep understanding of organ function and numerous additional medical specialties.
In this sense, both commerce and pharmacology were accessible to the ancient Egyptians. Historical accounts claim that while manufacturing or dispensing medicines, Egyptians from the ancient civilization in the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields would perform specific incantations. In their healing approaches, herbs were a significant component. For example, cannabis and opium are two examples of plant remedies listed in the Ebers Papyrus (Aboelsoud 2010:85). Additionally, the water lily, a plant belonging to the genus Nymphaea, was utilized for religious purposes and as a kind of medicine in ancient Egypt (Emboden and Dobkin de Rios 1981:276). Therefore, the thesis is as follows: while it might appear that Egyptians used rudimentary healing methods, they applied various approaches, using both mind-altering plants and healing herbs for their remedies.
The methodology of choice is descriptive with the use of a credible source review. This paper, focusing on herbs of Ancient Egypt, will support the statement that Egyptians had a diverse approach to treatment and healthcare. We will argue that Egyptians relied heavily on religious beliefs and yet applied medical services to heal ailments with herbal remedies, implying wide use of a holistic approach to treating individuals. Among the resources are five scholarly peer-reviewed journals and books that analyze ancient Egypt treatment practices complemented by rituals.
References Cited
Aboelsoud, Neveen H. 2010 Herbal Medicine in Ancient Egypt. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 4(2):82-86. Web.
Allen, James P. 2005 The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Emboden, William A. and Marlene Dobkin de Rios 1981 Mayan-Egyptian Uses of Water Lilies (Nymphaceae) in Shamanic Ritual Drug Use. In Folk Medicine and Herbal Healing, edited by George G. Meyer, Kenneth Blum, and John G. Cull, pp.275-286. Thomas.
Ritner, Robert K. 2000 Innovations and Adaptations in Ancient Egyptian Medicine. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 59(2):107-117. Web.
Younis Haggag, M., V. H. Heywood, and M. Skoula 1997 Herbal Medicine in Egypt. Cahiers Options Méditerranéennes, 23:45-55. Web.