Medicinal plants of the Bible-revisited

Bibliographic Data

ID4722173
AuthorsA Dafni (0000-0002-9841-1662, University of Haifa, corresponding author), Barbara Böck (0000-0002-0028-5160, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)
Year2019
Volume15
Issue1
Pages57-57
Publication date2019-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1746-4269 • E-ISSN: 1746-4269
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1186/s13002-019-0338-8
PMID31775790
OpenAlexW2990164676
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited57

BackgroundPrevious lists number from 55 to 176 plant species as "Biblical Medicinal Plants." Modern studies attest that many names on these lists are no longer valid. This situation arose due to old mistranslations and/or mistakes in botanical identification. Many previously recognized Biblical plants are in no way related to the flora of the Bible lands. Accordingly, the list needs revision.MethodsWe re-examine the list of possible medicinal plants in the Bible based on new studies in Hebrew Biblical philology and etymology, new studies on the Egyptian and Mesopotamian medicinal use of plants, on ethnobotany and on archaeobotany.ResultsIn our survey, we suggest reducing this list to 45 plant species. Our contribution comprises 20 "newly" suggested Biblical Medicinal Plants. Only five species are mentioned directly as medicinal plants in the Bible: Fig (Ficus carica), Nard (Nardostachys jatamansi), Hyssop (Origanum syriacum), balm of Gilead (Commiphora gileadensis) and Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum). No fewer than 18 medicinal plants are mentioned in old Jewish post-Biblical sources, in addition to those in the Bible. Most of these plants (15) are known also in Egypt and Mesopotamia while three are from Egypt only. Seven of our suggested species are not mentioned in the Bible or in the Jewish post-Biblical literature but were recorded as medicinal plants from Egypt, as well as from Mesopotamia. It is quite logical to assume that they can be included as Biblical Medicinal Plants.ConclusionsAll our suggested Biblical Medicinal Plants are known as such in Ancient Egypt and/or Mesopotamia also. Examination of our list shows that all these plants have been in continuous medicinal use in the Middle East down the generations, as well as being used in the Holy Land today. Precisely in King Solomon's words, "That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9

Ancient history · Biology · Botany · Ethnobotany · Medicinal plants · Mesopotamia · Traditional medicine · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Botanical Research and Chemistry · Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · History · Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access