[105] NGP: Chapter 1
, “[105] NGP: Chapter 1”, in New Green Pharmacy: The Story of Western Herbal Medicine, 1 vol., Vermilion, 1997.
100 - 199 (C2nd)
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.
