Man and Medicine

The History of Medicine

Primitive people were superstitious &
believed illness was caused by
• invasion of evil spirits
• supernatural forces
 Disease &
PREHISTORIC MAN
Archeological evidence revealed prehistoric
man suffered from:
• tuberculosis & parasite infestations
• under calcified bones (osteoporosis)
• caries (decayed teeth)
• eroded teeth from pyorrhea (discharge of
pus from inflamed gums)
• skeletal fractures
 Health Issues for
PREHISTORIC WOMEN
Archeological evidence revealed prehistoric
woman had much shorter lifespan than men.
• Most common reason for early death:
–difficult childbirth
• Also had weakened immune systems
–birthing & nursing children
–best food for men & boys since they would
be leaders, hunters, & warriors
Therapeutic techniques used by ancient
healers/shaman

• praying
• chanting
• hallucinogenic trances
Ancient medicinal tools of the trade:
• Facial & body paints
– to scare away evil spirits
• Wood splints for injuries
• Casts from hardened hide for
fractures
• Casts made of tamarind seeds
and egg white
• Bone needles to sew lacerations
• Strips of animal tendon used
as thread
Treatment for failing heart

Foxglove Plant
Drug: digitalis
-strengthens & slows
heart
 Treatment that stops bleeding &
acts as disinfectant

Birch Fungus
-a laxative when
ingested

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 Treatment of toothaches & oral
infections

Peek-a-boo plant
-also known as the
“toothache plant”

Chewed leaves or flower head which

numbs tongue & mouth
Treatment for malaria

Bark of Cinchona
(sin-kO-nah) tree

Drug: Quinine

-used for malaria’s fever

& muscle spasms
Treatment for relief of severe pain

Opium poppy

Drug: Morphine
-highly addictive
Treatment for spastic colon, gastric
ulcers, and slow heart rate
Belladonna Plant
(Deadly Nightshade plant)

Drug: Atropine
ancient women used it to
dilate eyes—thought it
made them look
beautiful
 The Egyptians
3150 BC
• 1st to keep accurate written health
records
 Ancient Egyptians practiced:

•bloodletting
•monthly purging
•making prosthetic
devices
•embalming
Prosthetic, wood & leather “great toe” found
on foot of Egyptian mummy
Surgeons in ancient Egypt were both priests
& doctors, blending ritual with medicine

Preparing for surgery

Ancient India
3300 BC
•Detected diabetes by smelling &
tasting urine (for sweetness)
• Practiced surgical
procedures such as:
–hernia repairs
–amputations
–C-sections
–cosmetic surgery
to nose,
earlobes, &
harelips
Hippocrates
• Ancient Chinese used variety herbs
were to treat diseases
Ginseng – reduces stress
Ancient Chinese Herb Pharmacy

Rhubarb – body strength

Licorice – muscle spasms

Ginger – treats diarrhea

Peony – regulates blood

Salvia – relieves pain of
inflammation
• Also used acupuncture to treat ailments
Idea behind acupuncture - stimulating energy
points with needles/pressure relieved obstructions
enabling body to heal.
Many Chinese herbs were
prepared as teas
History of progress in medicine
made by individuals

List of names
Technology of Medicine
Iron lung machine used for polio
Indian Herbal Medicines
 Indian Systems of Medicine
• Ayurveda-Purely Indian origin
• Siddha-Purely Indian origin
• Yoga-Purely Indian origin
• Naturopathy-Purely Indian origin
• Homeopathy-German origin but very popular in India
• Unani-Origin from Greece, Came through Middle East
and developed in India extensively

Note-All considered as AYUSH in India

Indian natural Medicines
 Personal experience

• Arthritis
• Vasambu
• Strychnos potatorum
• Natural healing for cough
 Natural herbal medicines
• Arthritis
 Natural herbal medicines
• Abdominal colic-Vasambu or Acorus calamus
Enhanced digestive health and colic
treatment in children -India

Acorus
calamus
Also known as

Vasambu or
Sweet flag or
Sweet cane
Akkara
Chitharathai
Dry ginger
Thuthuvalai
 Thuthuvalai-Solanum trilobatum
• Good for Asthma, Cold, Cough and Flu.
• Prevent throat infections.
• Increases blood level in our body.
• We can take daily intake as Thuthuvalai Candy,
soup, chutney, powder.

• https://www.wildturmeric.net/thoothuvalai-
solanum-trilobatum-medicinal-use/
THippili
 Black pepper
• Cures Loss of appetite.
• Good for Cold and Cough.
• Relieves pain and aches.
• Cure jaundice, anemia etc...
Turmeric
 Turmeric
• Act as a good antiseptic and antibacterial
agent.
• Smoke vapours of Turmeric to cure running
nose.
• Having anti inflammatory property.
• Prevent cancer.
• Prevent skin from infections.
Fenugreek
 Fenugreek
• Reduces Body heat.
• Antimicrobial activity.
• Prevent Breast cancer.
• Cure mucus related disorders.
• Used in the treatment of Asthma, Sinus etc...
• Can soak in water and drink to reduce body
heat.
Ginger
 Ginger
• Act as a good antiseptic.
• Fight against Cold and Flu
• Prevention of Blood clot reduce the risk of
Cardiovascular diseases.
• Cures sore throat, Indigestion etc…
Garlic
 Garlic
• Reduce blood cholesterol and reduce fat
deposition in body.
• Anti-bacterial and anti-virus property.
• Reduce Blood Pressure.
• Anti inflammatory property.
• Can have as boiled Garlic or fried Garlic.
Cumin-jeera
 Cumin-jeera
• Reduce body heat.
• Act us Anticancer, Hypoglycemic,
Antiepileptic, Ophthalmic, Antiosteoporotic,,
Antibacterial, and Larvicidal effects.
Vinca rosea-Nithya kalyani
 Vinca rosea-Nithya kalyani
• Nithya kalyani is used for
• Diabetes,
• Cancer
• Sore throat
• A cough remedy, for easing lung congestion, and
• To reduce fluid retention by increasing urine production (as a diuretic).

• https://www.wildturmeric.net/health-benefits-medicinal-uses-of-
nithyakalyani-sadabahar-rosy-periwinkle-madagascar-periwinkle/
 Key messages
• Although modern medicine is highly advanced
and very scientific it has not displaced alternate
systems of medicine completely. Many people
still continue to use them.
• If interested people would take interest and
promote the systematic study and research in
alternate medicine it could contribute
significantly to health care among people.
• All Indian herbal medicines need to be
scientifically tested for their full use
• End