Krzysztof Koniewicz

The Syrian fir [Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière] is a slender tree found in the mountainous areas of Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Its name recalls an ancient land called Cilicia, located in modern-day Turkey; the capital city of this land was Tarsus, where an important trade route called the Gates of Cilicia ran. The rich medicinal properties of the resin naturally flowing from this tree were appreciated by the ancient Egyptians as early as in the Old Kingdom period. It was used as an antiseptic, anti–inflammatory and diuretic agent, but also in cosmetics: an important ingredient of preparations strengthening weakened hair, skin firming and wrinkle reducing. Respiratory ailments, mainly persistent coughs, were widely treated with preparations containing the Syrian fir resin, which was also noted by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder in his famous Naturalis Historia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the medicinal properties of the Syrian fir, primarily of its resin, and the time period in which it was used for therapeutic purposes. A thorough analysis of the botanical, medical and pharmaceutical literature brings to a conclusion that Syrian fir was often used in the abovementioned applications in ancient times. Since the Middle Ages and continuing into the 19th century, native, neighboring, more popular varieties of fir trees, like the balsam fir, or the Canadian fir, were more often used for medicinal purposes. Many other common species of coniferous trees were used as well, especially the Pinus sylvestris, thanks to which the pine tar (Pix liquida Pini) can still be used today.

Iris florentina also referred to as the white iris is an old name for Iris germanica. The plant’s root called orris root was used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. As early as in antiquity it was applied to treat stomach illnesses and irritation as well as, above all, stomatitis and a sore throat. Orris root was also used as a remedy for the respiratory tract infections, skin ulcers and kidney stones due to its powerful diuretic effect. Apart from its anti–inflammatory and antiseptic properties, it had a very pleasant aroma, which is why it became an ingredient of perfumed products, such as scented soaps, as well tooth powders, which also had cleansing and medicinal properties. The research aim of this article is a thorough analysis of cosmetic and medicinal use of the root of Iris florentina from antiquity till the 19th century, moreover, the answer to the question: has its use changed over the centuries? For this purpose the authors used, among others, 19th – century apothecaries’ manuals stored in the library of the Museum of Pharmacy Jagiellonian University Medical College. The study showed that in the history of medicine and pharmacy, orris root was particularly used as an ingredient in dental products.

Floral water, also called hydrolate, is a secondary product of the distillation process of aromatic plants. In the Middle Ages, rose hydrolate, according to medical advice of the time, protected against plague spread by ‘miasma’. In nineteenth-century medical and cosmetic applications, rose water was often used as an aromatic and soothing ingredient, forming a base while giving the product the right consistency. It was also the main ingredient in eye medications (in Latin: Collyrium), anti-inflammatory ointments and cosmetic products, including perfumes, aromatic waters, nourishing creams, lubricating pomades and numerous fragrances. In the 19th century medical and pharmaceutical literature, rose water was seen as a mainly aromatic substance which added a pleasant fragrance to medicines and cosmetics. The aim of this article is to compare the recipes for medicines and cosmetics containing rose water from 19th-century apothecary’s manuscripts in the library of the Pharmacy Museum of the Jagiellonian University Medical College with the medical and pharmaceutical literature of the period.