Recent research challenges the notion that the Dark Ages were a period devoid of knowledge and progress, particularly in medicine. A new international study led by researchers from Binghamton University has uncovered that medieval medicine was significantly more advanced than previously recognized.
Surprisingly, some of the health remedies practiced during this time bear similarities to modern wellness trends popular on platforms like TikTok. According to Meg Leja, an associate professor of history at Binghamton University, individuals in the Middle Ages were actively engaged in their health.
They sought cures and were curious about the natural world, recording their findings in a variety of manuscripts. This investigation, part of the Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine (CEMLM), has revealed a wealth of medical material predating the 11th century, essentially doubling the number of known medical manuscripts from this era.
Among these ancient remedies, some recipes resemble current health hacks. For instance, an old remedy for headaches suggests crushing peach stones, mixing them with rose oil, and applying the concoction to the forehead—an unusual approach that aligns with modern findings indicating that rose oil may help alleviate migraine symptoms.
Another peculiar example is “lizard shampoo,” which supposedly promotes luscious hair. Leja emphasized that many practices found in medieval manuscripts are now being marketed as alternative medicine but have existed for centuries.
The research team meticulously curated the new catalogue of manuscripts, many of which included medical notes in the margins of unrelated texts, highlighting a genuine interest in health among people of that time. While historical records for the period may be sparse, Leja argued that this does not imply a lack of scientific inquiry.
Instead, it suggests a rich tradition of observation and experimentation aimed at understanding the natural world. The team intends to continue updating their catalogue and developing educational resources to shed further light on medieval medicine’s complexity and relevance.