Ancient Greece

Introduction

In ancient Greece where Hippocrates (460-370 BCE), the father of medicine, resided, the medical science was based on the use and application of herbs from the Greek landscape.

In classical Greek science and medicine, everything in the universe has its inherent nature and temperament, or balance of the Four Basic Qualities: Hot, Cold, Wet, and Dry.

This marks the basis of how Greek Medicine analyzes the natures and properties of herbs.

In order to calibrate more precisely how Hot, Cold, Wet or Dry an herb was, Galen introduced a system of four degrees for each of the Four Basic Qualities.

This allowed the doctor and pharmacist to formulate and prescribe more the medicinal methods.

Plant Medicine in Ancient Greece

Greek medicine's holistic healing philosophy says that Man is fundamentally a result of nature or the natural environment. Health resides in harmony with nature, and when this harmony and equilibrium is perturbed, disease courses the existence. This lost harmony and integration are restored by therapy.

Herbs have been regarded as magic and were commonly used as a valuable addition to conventional medicine throughout Greece up to this date.

Greece is famous for its natural herbs and spices. It is not surprising that in Greek cooking is all about the herbs; its fragrances are spread in every Island.

Oregano - used extensively in culinary dishes, it was used as an antiseptic, and oregano oil can heal yeast infections and treated respiratory problems.
Marjoram - a close relative of oregano, has similar uses in foods. It was known primarily as a remedy for water retention (edema ).
Dill - Its primary use in ancient times was medicinal. It was famous as a wound healer and for burns and was said to promote sleep. It was also used in ancient times to flavor wine.
Fennel - Ancient Greeks believed fennel promoted endurance and longevity.
Mint - in ancient Greece, it was excellent, in the form of tea, for indigestion, nerve disorders, dizziness, sore throats, coughs, headaches, and insomnia.
Rosemary - Ancient Greek students wore wreaths of rosemary, to aid memory.
A member of the mint family, - Rosemary is thought to be an antiseptic, to purify the blood.
Mint is beneficial for asthma and breathing problems, as well as relieving headaches and indigestion.
Sideritis - The name is derived from the word iron, (Sideron), and in ancient time was used to heal wounds caused by iron weapons, such as arrows and swords.Hippocrates prescribed it as a tonic; it is one of the most popular herbal teas in Greece.

Sage - Hippocrates (4th century BCE) prescribed sage as a remedy for lung diseases and gynecological disorders. Dioscorides (1st century AD) used sage as a diuretic, to stop external bleeding, and to promote menstrual discharge.
Chamomile - Hippocrates was the first to mention chamomile and recommended it for purification, protection and to fight colds. Chamomile tea is well known for its properties as a sedative, a relaxant, as an aid for sleep and for stomach disorders.
Thyme - in Ancient Greece was as a source of courage and was used as incense and infusions for bathing, and, to flavor liqueurs and cheese. Oil of thyme is an effective mouthwash and antiseptic. As a tea, it helps coughs and bronchitis.
Parsley - It was never used in Ancient Greek cuisine. The ancient Greeks, who believed parsley seeds made several journeys to Hades before germinating, used the herb as an aphrodisiac as well as in funeral ceremonies. In modern herbalism, parsley seeds are used as a strong diuretic and kidney-cleanser, and the leaves are a good source of nutrition in salads, rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
Basil - the king of herbs (basileus, Vasilikos ) Even though it represented hatred to the ancient Greeks, they placed it in the hands of the dead to endure them a safejourney to the afterlife, and to make sure the gates of heaven opened for them, the practice was to hang basil on a door, or by an entrance, to bring good luck and wealth..

Many specific advanced and effective herbal formulations are used in therapy in Greek Medicine, designed to deliver full healing power to the dysfunction location.

Herbal teas, tablets or powders are mixed and matched with specific regular preparations such as syrups or tinctures which are kept at hand. Often used are external or topical forms of treatment, such as compresses, ointments, salves, cataplasms or poultices, and fomentations.

Greek medicine is based on the concept of Medicatrix Naturae ( Latin ) - that Mother Nature is a healing goddess.

The cures are to be found in the biosphere for all man's ills, or the realm of nature which heals itself.

The weather, climate, and environmental factors do need to be taken into account in herbal prescription.

For example, if the weather or season is cold, there must be more warmth in nature than if the chills are stuck in relatively hot weather, a mechanism to warm the body and disperse chills.

Hippocrates

Hippocrates of Kos ( Greek: Ἱπποκράτης ὁ Κῷος, translit. Hippokrátēs ho Kṓos )also known as Hippocrates II, was a Greek physician of the Age of Pericles (Classical Greece), who is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine, he is often referred to as "the Father of Medicine."This academic school revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, defining it as a discipline distinct from other areas traditionally associated with it (theurgy and philosophy).

Nevertheless, the accomplishments of the Corpus authors, the Hippocratic medicine practitioners, and the acts of Hippocrates himself were often mixed up; thus, very little is understood about what Hippocrates thought, read, and did.Hippocrates is commonly portrayed as the ancient physician's paragon and credited with coining the Hippocratic Oath that is still important and still in use.

He also has excellent credit for promoting the systematic study of clinical medicine, summarizing the medical knowledge of previous schools and prescribing procedures of doctors through the Hippocratic Corpus and other plays.

Ancient Greece

Introduction

Plant Medicine in Ancient Greece

Hippocrates

Hippocrates of Kos ( Greek: Ἱπποκράτης ὁ Κῷος, translit. Hippokrátēs ho Kṓos )also known as Hippocrates II, was a Greek physician of the Age of Pericles (Classical Greece), who is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine.

He also has excellent credit for promoting the systematic study of clinical medicine, summarizing the medical knowledge of previous schools and prescribing procedures of doctors through the Hippocratic Corpus and other plays.

Hippocratic quotes

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and

Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.