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Amber in medicine

Hippocrates (460-377 BC), father of medicine, in his works described medical properties and methods of application of amber. Scientists relied on this knowledge up to the Middle Ages. In ancient Rome amber was used as a remedy from various diseases. The famous physician of the time Calistratus wrote that amber protects from madness, powder of amber mixed with honey cures throat, ear and eye diseases and taken with water cures stomach illnesses. Pliny the Younger (Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus) wrote that amber medallions worn by Roman peasant women were not only adornments but also means against hyperthyroidism, sore throat and palate.

Since ancient times amber was known and valued both by the Persians and Arabs. Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Persian scholar, considered amber as a remedy from many health disorders. In Eastern countries people believed that amber smoke could strengthen human spirit and give courage. In China "amber syrup", a mixture of succinic acid and opium, was used as a sedative and as means against spasms.

The Prussian Duke Albrecht, following Aurifaber's records (16th century), sent a lump of amber to Luther as a cure from the stone disease. In Middle Ages people even cured jaundice by wearing amber beads. They believed that the magic power of the yellow stone will absorb the unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the body. Up to the end of the 19th century such terms as Oleum succini (amber oil), Balsamum succini (Amber balsam) and Extractum succini (amber extract) were often used in recipes and alchemists' records.