The Mahdi Times The Mahdi Times, Issue #28, March 2015 | Page 27

beeswax was useful for lost-wax. As
with honey, it was incorporated into
medicines. The surfaces for writing
boards were also made of beeswax.
In Ancient Egypt, this product was
highly valued and used in tribute or
as payment. Honey was also the most
important – if not only – sweetener.
In fact, the word “honey” was used as
an adjective to denote sweet food or
drink. This ingredient was
prominent in confectionary. Texts
refer to scores of honey cakes, each
made by a specialist. Unlike the
Sumerians, Egyptians knew the art of
beekeeping and employed it
extensively. Many raised their own
bees for honey and wax. These
people did not use wild honey, but
had their own hives and beekeepers.
Through observation, it became
apparent to Ancient Egyptian
physicians that honey was good as an
osmotic as well as an antibacterial
agent. Because of these properties, it
became a central component in their
pharmacopocia. For a cough, the
remedy was to mix acacia leaves,
honey and sweet beer. This was to be
drunk by the patient to soothe the
cough. The Papyrus Ebers (medicinal
Egyptian manuscript dating to 1550
BC) shows that honey was used
extensively, both externally and
internally. As a surgical dressing for
burns, we read: “apply much honey

to the burn and wrap it soundly”.
Other, various uses for honey
include: ulcers, weakness and
inflammation of the eyes, laxatives
and worm remedies.

The most common use as a medicine
was in salves and ointments for
treating diseases of the eyes and
skin. To cool the eyes from use of too
much makeup, one remedy was to
apply a mixture of fermented honey
and carob to them. Another cure was
to apply a mixture of garlic and
honey, in ointment form, to snake or
dog bites. A use by Copts was for
warts on one’s privates. For this cure
you were to mix kohl and dry leeks,
grind them together and knead in
honey. This was then applied to the
affected areas.