[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.

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].

Pedanius Dioscorides

Publication:

De Materia Medica (Περὶ ὕλης ἰατρικής)

Date:

1st Century

Description:

The first clear and comprehensive medical work which became the prototype for all modern pharmacopeias and which still provides a relevant reference today [105]. Containing descriptions of around 600 plants, many previously unknown to medicine, it continued in popular circulation until around CE 1600 [105].

Summary:

A surgeon from Anazarbus, Dioscorides travelled widely in Asia Minor and the Roman Empire with the armies of Emperor Nero [105]. Seeing the need for an accurate, definitive medical resource, he documented the medicinal plants he came across and wrote 'De Materia Medica' [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

0 - 99 (C1st)

Celsus' Mithridatum

[105] NGP: Chapter 1

Scribonius Largus

The Roman Legacy in Europe

Pedanius Dioscorides

Emperor Shennong

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Timeline

0 - 99 (C1st)