[105] NGP: Chapter 1
, “[105] NGP: Chapter 1”, in New Green Pharmacy: The Story of Western Herbal Medicine, 1 vol., Vermilion, 1997.
199 - 100 (C2nd BCE)
Mithridates VI Eupator
Dates:
134BCE - 63BCE
Date:
1st Century BCE
Description:
May have been instrumental in the publication of the first illustrated herbal written by his physician Crataeus [105].
Summary:
Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus, was famous for his efforts to develop immunity against poison through the administration of Mithridatum, a cocktail of substances including many herbs [102]. Mithridatum was a common feature of herbals and pharmacopoeias throughout Europe for the next 2000 years [102].
Inspiration for Mithridatum may have come from a letter written to Mithridates VI by Zopyrus, physician to King Ptolemy, who described to him a remedy which was a combination of Megalium and the Egyptian incense Kyphi [102].
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is said to have been named after Mithridates VI [105].
Crataeus
Publication:
[illustrated herbal, title unknown]
Date:
1st Century BCE
Summary:
Personal physician to Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus [105]. Compiled what is thought to be the first illustrated herbal which included, according to Pliny, "painted likenesses of plants" [105].
Emperor Shennong
Publication:
Ben Cao Jing (pen Ts'ao king)
Date:
circa 300 BCE - CE 200
Description:
Lists more than 350 plant drugs including Ephedra sinica [105].
Summary:
The "Divine Farmer", a semi-mythological figure said to have written the Ben Cao Jing on plant medicine and agriculture.
