The secrets of ancient medicine

In this series, we will look at each of the countries separately to see how people have been treated and diagnosed some time ago. We will find some of the most useful tips and treatments, methods for preparing medicines at home

The earliest medical prescriptions appear in Sumerian during the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112 BC – c. 2004 BC). The oldest Babylonian texts on medicine date back to the Old Babylonian period in the first half of the 2nd millennium BCE. The most extensive Babylonian medical text, however, is the Diagnostic Handbook written by the ummânū, or chief scholar, Esagil-kin-apli of Borsippa, during the reign of the Babylonian king Adad-apla-iddina (1069–1046 BCE).Along with the Egyptians, the Babylonians introduced the practice of diagnosis, prognosis, physical examination, and remedies. In addition, the Diagnostic Handbook introduced the methods of therapy and cause.

One of the first countries we will consider is Bulgaria.

Herbs in Bulgaria and the world have been used since ancient times as a means of food, treatment, cosmetics, clothing and decoration. Some of them contain pharmacologically active substances, with the help of which they have a certain effect on a living organism. They are referred to as medicinal plants - herbs.

Оne of the most popular Bulgarian clairvoyants Baba Vanga is also a well-known herbalist. We managed to find some of her recipes and share them with you.

Acne : Make compresses on the face before going to bed with a cotton cloth soaked in water from boiled balm, soap and black elderberry.

Insomnia : In May, you collect wild red poppy stems along with roots and flowers. Wash the roots well and dry the whole stem in the shade. You fill the pillow and sleep on it.

Red Throat and Cought : Emerald tea. It is not poisonous, as some people think. 1 tbsp. of the herb is boiled in 500 ml. water until half is left. This amount is drunk 3 times a day with a little honey after eating.

Тhese folk recipes are an invaluable gift collected by generations of herbalists and passed on with great attention to detail. They have helped thousands of people and to this day many people turn to folk medicine for help.

Bulgaria is the largest producer of Herb and spices in the European union. According to the European statistical agency Eurostat, in 2017 a total of 81 thousand tons of aromatic and medicinal plants were found in countries.

In Bulgaria, there is a great variety of plant species - over 3600 species. Of these, however, only about 650 plants are used for medicinal purposes, and about 300 species are collected each year. Due to the variety of climatic conditions and the different soil types in our country, the medicinal plants in the Bulgarian nature contain a high percentage of biologically active substances. Not a few of them have studied the therapeutic effect and application.

Pharmacological (medicinal) means the action of various substances, of chemical or plant origin, which they have on the functions of the whole organism. The action is curative when it supports the healing process in a disease, and harmful when it has an adverse effect with dangerous consequences.

Most often, drug actions are described as enhancing and suppressing the body's activity. An example of this is the alkaloid caffeine contained in coffee - it enhances the work of the heart muscle and brain cells, while the roots of dilyanka have the exact opposite effect (suppress it).

In the first place among the herbs is the Bulgarian Damascena rose. It has been known for some time with rose oil. It has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect. It is used for everything, especially in allergic conditions.

You can find high quality rose products

If you have questions about any Herbs or prescription, you can contact The Blackdahlia team.

Please give suggestions with which country to continue and to look in detail at the herbs and recipes from ancient times.