Preacher believes in Wine but NO MEDICINE??

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by coadie

pharmaceutical drugs that Scripture calls "sorcery" (the Greek word pharmacia).

The "pharmacopia" in those days consisted almost exclusively of intoxicants and abortifacients, though there were many otherwise harmless or even useless herbs. Things were pretty hit and miss and there was a lot of ignorance in those days. Thankfully, humanity has moved beyond the realm of superstition and ... uh, never mind.

Among many of the compounds found within the "parmakopia" of the Hellenistic and ancient Roman world were:

misu: a copper ore that was used to prevent pregnancies for "one year."
cannabis: used for a variety of ailments, or just to get "stoned."
St. John's Wort: "Good for whatever ails you"
Garlic: not just for vampires
onions: digestive problems
cumin: flatulence (a common problem after eating a lot of onions) and as a stimulant
figs and dates: pretty much for the same reasons as today
honey: sore throats and dressing wounds
pomegranate: tape worms
tannic acid: "cooling the blood vessels"
frankincense: infections, stop bleeding
poppy seeds: cure insomnia
the goo from the poppy itself: a powerful narcotic
myrtle leaves, birch and willow bark: aspirin

Theodora, the wife of Justinian had complained of not being able to find a drug that would induce abortion. Given the fact that many writers claimed that such compounds existed, it seems that someone in Theodora's position could have found something. And, given the fact that nothing exists today either,* would lead one to suspect the "writers" had exaggerated just a bit.

*Theodora was looking specifically for an late term abortifacient. Homer, Hippocrates, Pythagoras and many others claimed such compounds existed. But they never actually described the compounds either. And still today, "mechanical means" (saline infusion, etc.) are required to perform the late term abortion.

** Don't use anything listed here- it's just for informational purposes. Some of it may help (honey for a sore throat), some won't do a bit of good (frankincense) and it may keep someone from seeking real medical help in a timely fashion. Somethings, like misu - are just plain stupid.