Ancient Greece and Rome
The classical world of Greece and Rome also contributed significantly to cough treatment. Hippocrates (460–370 BCE), known as the “Father of Medicine,” described various respiratory diseases and recommended remedies involving honey, wine, and herbs.
Galen of Pergamon (129–c. 216 CE), a prominent Roman physician, further advanced medical knowledge. He recommended syrups made from plants like thyme, mullein, and marshmallow to soothe coughs.
Roman texts mention the use of fumigations, inhaling the smoke of certain herbs to clear airways. The use of honey and vinegar mixtures was common as well.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, the practice of medicine was heavily influenced by religious institutions, but herbalism continued to thrive. Monasteries preserved medical knowledge and cultivated medicinal plants.
Herbal Remedies and Monastic Medicine
Monks and healers used herbs such as horehound, ivy, and elecampane to create syrups and teas. These herbs were valued for their expectorant and soothing effects.
Honey remained an essential ingredient due to its antimicrobial properties. Recipes for cough syrups from medieval herbals often combined honey with herbs, roots, and sometimes wine or vinegar. shutdown123