[105] NGP: Chapter 1

Griggs, B.

Celsus' Mithridatum

A formula for Mithridatum written by Aulus Cornelius Celsus around CE 40 uses 15 of the 20 plants given in the formula by Zopyrus in the 1st century BCE [102]. The stated daily dose is an amount the size of an almond and Celsus recommended the remedy for conditions such as poisoning by food or venom, internal pains or serious falls [102].

This version of Mithridatum included 34 plants altogether along with honey and beaver's musk (castor) to improve consistency and odour [102].

Plants used in Celsus' Mithridatum formula:

Acacia arabica (Acacia)

[105] NGP: Chapter 1

B. Griggs, “[105] NGP: Chapter 1”, in New Green Pharmacy: The Story of Western Herbal Medicine, 1 vol., Vermilion, 1997.

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].

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.

Apotheca

Timeline

99 - 0 (C1st BCE)

Celsus' Mithridatum

[105] NGP: Chapter 1

The Roman Legacy in Europe

Mithridates VI Eupator

Crataeus

Emperor Shennong

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Timeline

99 - 0 (C1st BCE)