Traditional healing with animals (zootherapy): Medieval to present-day Levantine practice

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Abstract

Animals and products derived from different organs of their bodies have constituted part of the inventory of medicinal substances used in various cultures since ancient times. This article reviews the history of healing with animals in the Levant (the Land of Israel and parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, defined by the Muslims in the Middle Ages as Bilad al-Sham) throughout history. Intensive research into the phenomenon of zootherapy in the Levant from early medieval to present-day traditional medicine yielded 99 substances of animal origin which were used medicinally during that long period. Fifty-two animal extracts and products were documented as being used from the early Muslim period (10th century) to the late Ottoman period (19th century). Seventy-seven were recorded as being used in the 20th century Seven main animal sources have been exploited for medical uses throughout history: honey, wax, adder, beaver testicles, musk oil, coral, and ambergris. The first three are local and relatively easy to obtain; the last four are exotic, therefore, rare and expensive. The use of other materials of animal origin came to an end in the course of history because of change in the moral outlook of modern societies. Among the latter we note mummy, silkworm, stinkbug, scarabees, snail, scorpion, and triton.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)107-118
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume85
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2003

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The author would like to thank Dr. Zohar Amar of Bar-Ilan University, Israel, for permission to use unpublished materials; also Dr. Simha Lev-Yadon of Haifa University, Israel, and Prof. Dr. Michael Heinrich of the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, School of Pharmacy, University of London, for their helpful remarks. This research was supported by a generous grant from the Fund for Higher Education in the Eastern Galilee—the Jewish Agency.

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Ethnozoology
  • History
  • Levant
  • Medicine
  • Medieval medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Traditional medicine
  • Zootherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

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