Salves have been developed by different formulators and ready-made remedies were already used to treat eye diseases even at the beginning of the first century AD according to Celsus a medical author at that time. (2) These eye salves were made using plants and minerals and were mixed with water, milk, wine, and other liquids. (2). Since the salves were already created by different people, and the production expanded, different eye salve formulations and ingredient combinations were invented and developed (2)
Minerals – the Phrygian stone
Some conclude that Laodicea produced an eye salve because they connect it with the mineral that was naturally produced in Phrygia. This mineral was being used to make an eye salve, hence they call Laodicea’s eye salve Phrygian salve. While there are differing opinions whether Laodiceans locally produced an eye salve, what’s certain is that it they made an ointment that’s used for ear treatment (1)
Phrygian stone mixture & hard ointment
Galen’s notes in De compositione medicamentorum Secundum locos confirms that a mineral from Phrygia was being used to make an eye salve. It’s stated that (as cited by Koester, in his 2003 paper) by applying the mixture of dry collyrium made of Phrygian stone on eyelids, the eyes will be strengthened even without touching the membrane of the eye inside.’ (2) However, it’s important to note that despite that Galen mentioned in his writings that Laodicea produced an ointment made from nard, he did not specifically say that the ointment was used to treat eye diseases. He did not also say that Laodicea’s nard can cure eye disorders but it was used for liver or stomach inflammation that comes with a slight fever (2) Hence, as Koester purported in his 2013 paper, concluding that Laodicea produced its eye salve is weak or has holes in its argument because as of the moment of writing, there is no direct evidence that Laodicea was known for its eye salve because they were producing eye salves locally.
Roman period eye salve recipes
To identify the other ingredients used in the salve, the Collyria Seals In The Roman Empire, a 2013 research paper written by Pérez-Cambrodí R. et. al. could be used as a reference. In this research document, a table was presented that shows the details written on the seals that were found in the Iberian Peninsula. These seals identified the different salves used for different eye problems, including their ingredients. Listed below were the ingredients and the corresponding eye condition
- against poor or blurred vision – apple juice
- to preserve the clarity of vision – Copper and iron metallic salts mixed with vinegar
- new cases of blurred vision and cataracts – acacia, aesustum, aloe, cadmia, croceum, haematites, lepidium, opium, piper, sal fossils, gummi, rainwater
- acute conjunctivitis and blepharitis – spikenard and olive oil
- against roughness; it is probably referred to as trachoma and other diseases with similar morphology) – saffron
- lid malposition, eye traumatism, pterygium, acute conjunctivitis – incense
- to treat blurry vision and ocular roughness – slag
- to preserve clear vision and against cataracts – Wine from acrid grapes
Eye salve with spikenard
Since this post is about spikenard, we would compare ancient recipes for eye salve containing this plant. The spikenard eye recipe found in the seals in the Iberian Peninsula is consistent with the writings of the Greek physician Dioscorides, where spikenard has been used as an ingredient for eye salves. Dioscorides was a Cilician Greek from Anazarbos (present day in Turkey ) while the other seals were from the Iberian Peninsula and yet they both used spikenard for eye salves. This suggests that this plant must be a known ingredient for treating eye diseases.
In the seals found in the Iberian Peninsula, the spikenard eye salve was made of spikenard and olive oil. Whereas in Dioscorides’s book, he mentioned that spikenard was grounded and made into balls with wine and stored in a jar. This was used as an eye medicine, particularly for dry eyes, as it can moisturize and thicken them (3). Whereas with the olive oil, Dioscorides stated in his notes under Elaion Koinon or old olive oil (olea europaea) that it is good to use for ointment to sharpen the eyes. (3)
To see more details about the opthalmological practices and the eye ointment during the Roman Empire you can read this post
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References
- (1) Pérez-Cambrodí R., Piñero D., Piñero A., Brautaset R., Del Castillo J.M., 2013. Collyria Seals In The Roman Empire.Acta med-hist Adriat 2013; 11(1);89-100
- (2) Koester, C. R., “The Message to Laodicea and the Problem of Its Local Context.” (2003). Faculty Publications. 9. http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/faculty_articles/9
- (3) TA Osbaldeston, RPA Wood., The Herbal of Dioscorides the Greek (Modern English Version) 2000
- (4) King James Bible Version
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