Medicines of Ancient Egypt

The following list gives a brief summary of some of the Medicines used by the Ancient Egyptians (from Eber’s Papyrus 1550BCE and other sources). All of these were later used in Ancient Greek and Unani Medicine.

Herbs

Abies
Acacia
Ajwan seed
Aloe vera
Ammi
Anise
Balanites
Balsam Apple (Malus sylvestris)
Barley
Basil
Belladonna
Calendula
Camomile (Matricaria)
Camphor
Cannabis
Caraway (Carum carvi)
Cardamom (Eletarria cardamomum)
Castor oil
Cedar
Celery
Cinnamon
Colchicum
Colocynth
Coriander seed
Cornflower
Cubeb
Cyperus papyrus
Dates
Datura
Dill
Elder
Endive
Fennel
Fenugreek
Figs
Frankincense
Garlic
Henbane
Henna
Hibiscus
Honey
Indigo
Juniper
Laurel
Lawsonia
Licorice
Lily
Linseed
Lotus
Mandrake root
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Meliot
Mint
Moringa
Mustard seed
Myrrh
Myrtle
Nymphaea
Olive oil

Onion
Opium
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Peucedanum
Pine
Pistacia terebinthus
Pomegranate
Poppy
Radish
Rosemary
Rye
Saffron
Sage
Sandalwood
Senna
Sesame seed
Spearmint
Styrax
Sunflower seed
Sycamore
Tamarind
Tamarisk
Thyme
Tumeric
Vigna
Wheat
Willow
Wormwood

Animal

Blood (various including Bat, Dog)
Cow Milk
Crocodile
Dung (various including Dog, Cat, Crocodile)
Eggs (various)
Fats (various including Ass, Crocodile, Cat)
Honey
Horns (various)
Liver (various)
Milk (various, including Mother’s)
Perch
Stag Horn
Testicles (various)
Uterus (including Cat)
Wax
Yeast

Minerals

Cinnabar
Copper salts
Earth
Iron (sulphate, oxide)
Lead (oxide)
Malachite
Natron
Ochre
Salt
Zinc oxide