How Did People Bathe in the Middle Ages?
From royal bathtubs and scented herbs to public bathhouses and healing spas, medieval bathing was far more common and sophisticated than you might think.
New Medieval Books: Medieval Military Medicine
Warfare underwent significant changes between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, bringing new challenges for those treating wounded and sick soldiers. This book explores how medical care evolved to deal with the injuries and diseases that accompanied these changes in warfare.
Medieval Medicine’s Connection to Ancient Egyptian Mummies Revealed by New Study
New research reveals a surprising connection between medieval medicine and ancient Egyptian mummies, with chemical evidence of aloe in embalming materials.
How Did Medieval People Tell If Someone Was Dead?
How did medieval people determine if someone was dead? Explore the physical signs of death and how families, midwives, and physicians recognised them.
Did Botticelli’s Venus Die from a Brain Tumour? New Study Offers Evidence
New research suggests that Simonetta Vespucci, the inspiration for Botticelli’s Venus, may have died from a pituitary tumour rather than tuberculosis.
Khmer Empire Developed Massive State Healthcare System, Study Finds
A new study examines how the Khmer Empire under Jayavarman VII created a remarkable network of 102 hospitals offering free healthcare across its territories.
New Medieval Books: A Catalog of Benevolent Items
In 16th-century China, a vast encyclopedia brought together knowledge about medicine and the natural world. This book gives you a taste of this fascinating work and its remarkable range of subjects, from soybeans and dragons to poisons and ice.
The Book of Hy-Brasil: A “Magical” Manuscript’s Journey from Baghdad to Ireland
Trace the Book of Hy-Brasil from medieval Baghdad to Ireland and discover how a medical manuscript became the subject of an otherworldly legend.
Medieval Chinese Surgeons Used Toxic Anaesthetic, Study Finds
Chemical analysis of surgical tools from a Ming Dynasty tomb has revealed traces of a toxic aconitine-based anaesthetic, offering rare physical evidence of sophisticated medieval Chinese medicine and surgery.
Medieval Beauty Secrets: Flowers, Cosmetics and Skincare
Medieval medical and cosmetic texts reveal how roses, violets, lilies and other flowers were used in skincare, haircare, perfumes and beauty remedies. These floral treatments were intended to cleanse the skin, whiten the complexion, scent the body and maintain healthy hair.
Did Medieval People Have Bad Teeth and Bad Breath?
Did people in the Middle Ages really suffer from terrible teeth and foul breath? A closer look at medieval medical texts and hygiene practices reveals a more complex picture of dental care and everyday health.
Caterina Sforza’s Renaissance Recipes for ‘Restoring’ Virginity
Did Renaissance writers believe virginity could be restored? Recipes attributed to Caterina Sforza offer a surprising glimpse into late medieval medicine.
Medieval Remedies for Desire and Potency
Medieval medical writers offered foods and prescriptions to boost desire and potency. Explore Ahmed Ibn al-Jazzar’s influential handbook and its remedies, from simple ingredients to elaborate recipes.
Ten Medieval Discoveries That Shaped How We Understand Sleep
Medieval physicians made striking discoveries about sleep—describing sleep paralysis, sleep hygiene, and even sleep apnoea centuries before modern sleep medicine.
Six Medieval Rules for Healthy Living
A medieval medical guide reduced healthy living to six simple rules. Explore The Theatre of Health and how its advice on diet, activity, and balance still resonates today.
The Medieval Frog: From Healing Charm to Cautionary Tale
In medieval Europe, frogs were both feared and useful — condemned as unclean yet valued in medical recipes and moral tales. A new study explores how this unlikely creature moved from the healer’s toolkit to the storyteller’s page, revealing the many roles of the medieval frog.
Medieval Healers Used Nettles to Treat Wounds, Not Just to Sting, Study Finds
Medieval healers saw nettles as more than a painful weed. New research uncovers how they used the stinging plant in remedies for wounds, infections, and more.
How to Harvest a Mandrake: Medieval Medicine and Magic in the Old English Herbarium
Discover the medieval cure-all known as the mandrake—and why you needed a hungry dog to pull it from the ground, according to a 10th-century medical text.
Medieval Hospitals with Sarah Loose Guerrero
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sarah Loose Guerrero about what to expect at a medieval hospital, how institutions like the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala supported citizens from infancy to adulthood, and what hospital support looked like for both urban and rural communities.
Poison in the Middle Ages: Medicine, Murder, and Myth
Discover how poison influenced medieval medicine, power struggles, and storytelling. From royal intrigue to early toxicology, learn how this dangerous substance shaped the Middle Ages.
Viking-Age Skulls Reveal Widespread Disease and Infections
New research using CT scans of Viking-Age skulls has revealed evidence of severe infections, osteoarthritis, and dental diseases that plagued Sweden’s medieval population. The study offers a glimpse into the hardships of Viking life, where untreated illnesses could linger for years.
Thomas Aquinas died from head trauma, study suggests
A recent study has revisited the mysterious death of Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of the Middle Ages
How Coughs Were Treated in the Middle Ages
Discover how medieval healers used liquorice, saffron, and other surprising ingredients to craft remedies for coughs over a thousand years ago.
New Medieval Books: Medical Writings from Early Medieval England
What was the state of medical knowledge in England in the Early Middle Ages? This book provides texts and translations of several works that delve into ailments and their treatments, showcasing a fascinating blend of medicinal practices, magical remedies, and religious beliefs.