The Roots of Medicine: Plant Medicine in Human History

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the history and evolution of medicine, particularly the use of plants and other natural remedies throughout human history.

Neanderthal archaeological sites

Places where remnants of medicinal plants have been found, indicating early human use of plants.

Ebers Papyrus

One of the oldest surviving medical texts from ancient Egypt, documenting medical knowledge.

Hygieia

The Greek goddess of hygiene, associated with health and cleanliness.

The Doctrine of Signatures

A theory that suggests a plant's appearance indicates its healing properties.

Canon of Medicine

A medical text written by Avicenna that was widely used in Europe until the 17th century.

Germ theory of disease

The theory established by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch that diseases are caused by microorganisms.

Herbalists

Practitioners who use plants for medicinal purposes, often in opposition to academic physicians.

Antiseptic practices

Methods developed by Joseph Lister to reduce infection during surgical procedures.

Hallucinogenic herbs

Plants used by medieval healers to produce potions that evoke altered states of consciousness.

X-rays

A discovery by William Roentgen that allowed for non-invasive visualization of the interior of the body.