The ancient Egyptians are credited rightly with considerable expertise in the area of medicine. While not all their practices were sound they were knowledgeable in many areas. They used a wide range of organic and inorganic ingredients in the preparations they concocted to treat illnesses of many kinds. Some held questionable value. Ingredients such as liquid of laundryman, crocodile or fly excrement, cooked unwritten papyrus and mouse cooked in oil probably had little therapeutic effect. However, preparations containing herbs, spices and other plant material must have been of considerable benefit in many cases. In fact, many of the ingredients used in ancient Egyptian preparations for the treatment of illness can be still found in common or garden variety health food shops today.

Aloe vera - worms, relieves headaches, soothes chest pains, burns, ulcers and for skin disease and allergies

Basil (ocimum basilicum) - excellent for heart

Balsam Apple (malus sylvestris) - laxative, skin allergies, soothes headaches, gums and teeth, liver stimulant, weak digestion.

Bayberry (Myrica cerifera) - stops diarrhoea, soothes ulcers, shrinks haemorrhoids, repels flies

Belladonna - pain reliever; camphor tree - reduces fevers, soothes gums, soothes epilepsy

Caraway (Carum carvi; Umbelliferae) - soothes flatulence, digestive, breath freshener

Cardamom (Eletarria cardamomum; Zingiberacae) - used as a spice in foods, digestive, soothes flatulence

Colchicum (Citrullus colocynthus) - also known as "Meadow Saffron", soothes rheumatism, reduces swelling

Common Juniper tree (Juniperis phonecia; Juniperus drupacea) - digestive, soothes chest pains, soothes stomach cramps

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) - unguent ingredient for the treatment of herpes, stomach ailments, snake venom antidote, intestinal parasites

Cubeb pepper (Piper cubeba; Piperaceae) - urinary tract infections, larynx and throat infections, gum ulcers and infections, soothes headaches

Dill (Anethum graveolens) - soothes flatulence, relieves dyspepsia, laxative and diuretic properties

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) - respiratory disorders, cleanses the stomach, calms the liver, soothes pancreas, reduces swelling

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) - throat and larynx infections, stops bleeding, cuts phlegm, asthma, stops vomiting

Henna (Lawsomia inermis) - astringent, stops diarrhoea, close open wounds (and used as a dye)

Honey - was widely used, a natural antibiotic and used to dress wounds and as a base for healing unguents, as was castor oil, coriander, beer and other foods

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - mild laxative, expels phlegm, soothes liver, pancreas and chest and respiratory problems

Mustard (Sinapis alba) - induces vomiting, relieves chest pains

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) - stops diarrhoea, relieves headaches, soothes gums, toothaches and backaches

Onion (Allium cepa) - diuretic, induces perspiration, prevents colds, soothes sciatica, relieves pains and cardiovascular problems

Parsley (Apium petroselinum) - diuretic

Poppy (papaver somniferum) - relieves insomnia, relieves headaches, anaesthetic, soothes respiratory problems, deadens pain

Mint (Mentha piperita) - soothes flatulence, aids digestion, stops vomiting, breath freshener

Sandalwood (Santallum albus) - aids digestion, stops diarrhoea, soothes headaches and gout (used, of course, in incense)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) - soothes asthma

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) - laxative

Thyme (Thymus/Thimbra) - pain reliever

Turmeric (Curcumae longa) - closes open wounds (also was used to dye skin and cloth)

Willow bark (Salix alba) from which Asprin is derived. Relieves headaches, thins the blood, helps relieve colds, pain reliever

Source: Iolair C. Fitzgerald De Windsor, Phd. Collective papers.

Ancient Egyptian Cures

Cure for Diarrhoea
1/8th cup figs and grapes, bread dough, pit corn, fresh Earth, onion, and elderberry.

Cure for Indigestion
Crush a hog's tooth and put it inside of four sugar cakes. Eat for four days.

Cure for Cooking Burns
Create a mixture of milk of a woman who has borne a male child, gum, honey ram's hair. While administering this mixture say: Thy son Horus is burnt in the desert. Is there any water there? There is no water. I have water in my mouth and a Nile between my thighs. I have come to extinguish the fire.

Cure for a Headache
A remedy for suffering (meret) in the head (gestep) The skull of a catfish (nar) that has been fried in oil. Annoint the head. Drink deeply of willow bark boiled in river water and sleep for two days.

Source: Iolair C. Fitzgerald De Windsor, Phd. Collective papers.

Other Ancient Egyptian Cures

Cure for Constipation
Combine one quarter earth almonds (sheny-ta), one quarter gengenet-plant, one quarter wormwood (sam) and 15 ro of sweet beer. Cook, strain and drink for one day.

Cure for Catarrh
Combine one part galena (lead), one part khet-awa, one part dry incense (antyu) and one part honey. "...paint therewith for four days. Do [it] and you will see [the result]! Behold it is true!"

Source: John F. Nunn, Ancient Egyptian Medicine