Medicine in the Middle Ages
Medicine in the Middle Ages
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Interesting Facts and information about
Medicine in the Middle Ages in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages Medicine to treat the Black Death
Medieval Medicine to treat Headache and
Aching joints
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Stomach Pains
and Sickness
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Battle Wounds
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Lung Problems
Life in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages Index
Medicine in the Middle Ages
Interesting facts and information about life and the lives of men and women in the
Medieval period of the Middle Ages
Health in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages Hygiene
Middle Ages Doctors
Black Death
Medicine in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages Medicine was extremely basic in an era when terrible illnesses such as the Black Death were
killing nearly one third of the population. Medicine was limited. Physicians had no idea what caused the
terrible illnesses and diseases. The Catholic Church believed that illnesses were a punishment from God
for sinful behaviour. Letting blood was conducted by cupping or leeches. There were no Antibiotics during
the Middle Ages and it was almost impossible to cure illness and diseases without them. Medicines in the
Middle Ages were made from herbs, spices and resins. The medicine was applied in drinks, pills, washes,
baths, rubs, poultices, purges and ointments. The Medicine used to treat some specific illnesses are
described below.
Middle Ages Medicine to treat the Black Death
The Black Death held a massive mortality rate of between 30 and 40%. Victims had no idea what had
caused the disease. And neither did the doctors in the Middle Ages. The Black Death was treated by
lancing the buboes and applying a warm poultice of butter, onion and garlic. Various other remedies were
tried including tobacco, arsenic, lily root and even dried toad.
Medieval Medicine to treat Headache and Aching joints
Head Pains were treated with sweet-smelling herbs such as rose, lavender, sage, and bay. A mixture of
henbane and hemlock were applied to aching joints. Coriander was used to reduce a fever.
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Stomach Pains and Sickness
Stomach pains and sickness were treated with wormwood, mint, and balm.
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Lung Problems
Lung problems were given the medical treatment of a medicine made of liquorice and comfrey.
Horehound cough syrups and drinks were prescribed for chesty and head-colds and coughs.
Middle Ages Medicine to treat Wounds
Wounds were cleaned and vinegar was widely used as a cleansing agent as it was believed that it would kill
disease. Mint was also used in treating venom and wounds. Myrrh was used as an antiseptic on wounds.
Yarrow, or Achillea was used to treat headaches and wounds, especially battle wounds.
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