Natural Remedies
Medieval Islamic medications consisted of natural substances, many of which were plant based. Most of the remedies had also been used in ancient Greek and Roman medicines.
- Mercuric chloride was introduced by Muslim scholars to disinfect wounds.
- Poppy - this was used to relieve pain. According to literature, poppy was used to relieve the symptoms of pain from gallbladder stones, fever, toothaches, pleurisy, headaches, and eye pain. It was also used to make people "go to sleep before an operation".
- Hemp - Islamic doctors followed Dioscorides' advice and used the seeds to help during childbirth. Hemp juice was used for earache.
Hemp came into Islamic countries from India around 900 AD. - Fennel - commonly used to calm people down.
- Garlic - had many uses. It was given to people with heart problems.
- Willow - was used as an antiseptic