Mustard
Botanical Name:
Sinapis nigra L.
Edible Uses:
Romans: Pounded and steeped in new wine [105].
Usage:
1
Roman Empire
Garlic
Botanical Name:
Allium sativum L.
Edible Uses:
Widely used in savoury dishes [KP].
Usage:
1
Madonna Lily
Botanical Name:
Lilium candidum L.
Usage:
2
[105] NGP: Chapter 1
, “[105] NGP: Chapter 1”, in New Green Pharmacy: The Story of Western Herbal Medicine, 1 vol., Vermilion, 1997.
Scribonius Largus
Publication:
Roman army manual [title unknown]
Date:
c. CE 40
Description:
Gives details of 271 prescriptions using common European herbs as well instructions on storing and transporting more exotic herbs to be carried by troops [105].
A large portion was incorporated, with corrections, into De Medicamentis Empiricis by Marcellus Empiricus in the 5th century.
Summary:
A military surgeon who produced a medical manual ahead of Emperor Claudius's expedition to the UK in CE 43 [105].
The Roman Legacy in Europe
During the reign of the Roman Empire from around 27 BCE to CE 476, doctors and surgeons accompanied the Roman armies throughout Europe and their medical knowledge evolved along the way [105].
Local plants were often studied and incorporated into the army materia medica and local doctors often found employment and even Roman citizenship were available to them if they enlisted and provided good service to a passing legion [105].
