Bezoar stones, hardened masses found in the stomachs of animals like goats or deer, were highly prized in medieval pharmacology.

The Legend of the Bezoar

Bezoars were believed to have magical properties that could neutralize any poison. They were often ground into powder or embedded in jewelry, like rings, worn by nobles and royalty for protection.

Scientific Reality

Modern studies show bezoars do not have universal antidote properties. Their reputation was likely due to superstition and isolated anecdotal successes.

  Animal Dung and Excrement: The Unexpected Medicine

Medieval medical texts often included recipes using animal feces as an ingredient.

Why Use Feces?

Some believed animal dung contained healing powers, especially for skin conditions like wounds, ulcers, or infections. It was also sometimes used in poultices.

For example, cow dung was thought to promote wound healing, and mummy powder (ground mummified human remains) was another bizarre ingredient used for wounds and infections.

Risks and Misconceptions

We now know these treatments could cause infections rather than heal. Yet, in an era without germ theory, such practices persisted, sometimes out of desperation. shutdown123