The Sweetest Medieval Cure
Honey as cure
Since I have already mentioned the use of honey in medicine in an earlier post, I figured I would share some details.
These come from a recent translation of Galen.
Honey’s Properties
Of course, we are deep in humoral theory here, so the number one thing you need to know is that it is warm. (And presumably damp.) Galen noted that bees made ‘the juice of heavenly dew’ from many flowers, so its properties were a compound of their uses.
Honey in Solution
It was supposed to be good for everything and could be mixed with all antidotes.
He recommended mixing it with salt and smearing it on a dry throat.
This mixture could also go on a wound to ‘consume the filth.’ I think he meant the puss of a cut that had gone bad. Sawbones mentioned that Galen had wanted people to clean wounds of puss, and some guy centuries later misinterpreted him. Weird how you can regress and advance at the same time.
Honey Alone
Honey that came from the ground was supposed to be good for clearing up vision.
The normal type of honey, served straight, stops squeamishness, stimulates the appetite, and prevents nausea. He thought it would relax lungs and internal organs too.
Honey was certainly popular as a cure. Trotula recommended a tea of mint and honey for constipation, for instance. These days, honey is a mite expensive to be rubbing on open wounds when Neosporin is available, but at least you have a back up plan if you are listening to Galen.
Sources:
Trotula the Medieval Doctor: A History of Women’s Health from the Middle Ages — RemedyGrove
Natural Remedies from the Middle Ages: The Alphabet of Galen — Medievalists.net