Modern society enjoys many inventions that were obtained in ancient times. There is a misconception that in the ancient world people had a very vague idea of hygiene and they practically did not follow the cleanliness and smell of their bodies. But scientists are sure that the ancient Egyptians were a very advanced civilization, not only in terms of building technologies, but also in terms of hygiene.
1. Mint breath
Egypt - the cradle of dentistry
Khesi-Re is considered the world's first dentist to work during the time of Pharaoh Djoser around 1600 BC. (during the Third Dynasty of Egypt). However, the first evidence of dentistry dates back to 3000 BC. A papyrus manual was found with detailed instructions on how to heal wounds in the mouth. It was during this time that dental surgery was born. And "for those whose breath smelled as bad as the armpits of the lower class," granulated honey was recommended, combined with a decoction of herbs and spices.
2. Parasites
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Haircut as a way to fight parasites
The Egyptians actively tried to control pests and parasites. In an attempt to get rid of head lice, men, women and children shaved their heads, and priests and other people from high society removed hair all over their bodies. But in addition to temporary treatments such as haircuts, the Egyptians also used the prototypes of repellents. For example, they sprayed a solution of baking soda and salt in their homes to get rid of fleas.
3. Circumcision
Circumcision in Ancient Egypt
Although anthropologists disagree about the origin of circumcision, they are certain that the ritual was practiced in Egypt as early as 4000 BC. Mass circumcision ceremonies were carried out among young men under 15 and were intended both for the rite of puberty and also for the sake of purity. Some anthropologists argue that the procedure originated as a sign of desecration or bondage. In fact, captured warriors in ancient Egypt used to be castrated, but this was often fatal. Therefore, the slaves began to simply circumcise the foreskin.
4. Deodorant
Spices - Egyptian Deodorant
The Egyptians are often credited with inventing the first deodorant. They tried to get rid of the unpleasant smell of sweat using various spices like citrus fruits and cinnamon. By mixing numerous scents, including flowering evergreen carob bushes, they made natural deodorant granules that were worn under the armpits. They also shaved their underarms to get rid of the unpleasant odor.
5. Ancient recipes
Two thousand years before Hesi-Re, the world's first dentist, the Egyptians as well as the Babylonians used their own version of the toothbrush, which was made from twigs with soaked ends. These primitive toothbrushes are found in tombs next to the mummified remains of their owners, which date back to 3500 BC. Even more surprising, the Egyptians used toothpaste 1500 years earlier. The National Library in Vienna, Austria, houses a collection of papyrus documents containing the world's oldest known toothpaste recipe, consisting of dried iris flower, salt, pepper and mint.
6. Accessories
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: Accessories
The attention of the Egyptians to their appearance is evident from the content of their graves. Even in the Old Kingdom, various cosmetic accessories were buried with their owner. For example, there were decorative hairpins and combs made of ivory and silver, bronze tweezers for shaping eyebrows and gold razors. Also, polished copper mirrors with intricate graceful handles were found everywhere, which were placed under the head of the deceased or in front of their face.
7. Preventive medicine
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine was as important to the Egyptians as any other measure they took to maintain their health and prevent the spread of disease. In this regard, they focused mainly on their diet. For example, the Egyptians included onions, garlic and radishes in the diet of their workers, which are extremely rich in allistatin, allicin and rafanin, natural powerful antibiotics.
8. Eye makeup
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: Eye Makeup
The glamorous eye makeup that epitomized ancient Egyptian glamor actually served more than just vanity. When analyzing 52 samples of ancient cosmetics, scientists found that most of the lead-based substances used in Egyptian cosmetics increased the level of nitric oxide in human skin cells by 240%. Importantly, nitric oxide boosts the immune system to help fight disease. This was of particular importance in tropical swampy areas such as the Nile, where eye infections were rampant.
9. Medical knowledge
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: Medical Knowledge
In the Ebers Papyrus dating from 1500 BC, the Egyptians described soap-like materials that were made using alkaline salts and vegetable and animal fats. This substance was used not only for washing, but also for treating skin diseases. In fact, the Ebers Papyrus includes a whopping 877 recipes, as well as the earliest documented description of tumors.
10. Female doctors
Hygiene in ancient Egypt: female doctors
At a time when women were very limited in terms of freedom of choice, Egyptians differed from other societies in that educated women had the right to work in any field of their choice. Women doctors were most often involved in obstetrics. In doing so, they used various decoctions. For example, the earliest known pregnancy test was among the Egyptians, and it needed barley and spelled (wheat). Women had to urinate on these grains for several days, and if neither barley nor spelled began to sprout, then this meant that the woman was not pregnant. Interestingly, modern scientists have confirmed that urine in non-pregnant women inhibits grain growth.