The Prescription and Administration of Cedar Products in Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine

Abstract

The primary motivation for this research is the need for a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted roles of cedar oil and other cedar products in medical practice, whose use in numerous fields, particularly medicine, is documented in cuneiform texts. This study examines the standard medical texts of the period, including the AMT and BAM series, together with relevant documents from the Mari archives. The research employed an analysis of the records contained in cuneiform medical texts, an evaluation of the obtained data in light of current medical and practical knowledge, and an examination of ancient therapeutic practices. The findings demonstrate that cedar products constituted a fundamental component in the treatment of skin diseases (such as ekkētu and birdu), eye disorders, and ear ailments treated by medicated ear packing or the application of ear drops. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Mesopotamian physicians did not use cedar products merely as part of a traditional practice; rather, they employed them systematically in combination with various ingredients to benefit from their antiseptic and soothing properties. This study demonstrates that Mesopotamian medicine, beyond supernatural explanations, was grounded in a pragmatic and solution-oriented body of knowledge that made effective use of natural resources in accordance with therapeutic needs.