Uncovering the lost antiquity in the origins of western medicine
The real origins of medicine: a story older than hippocrates
To reveal history is to crack open a plant pot and to see the length and health of its root. Often, the Western narrative credits Hippocrates as the “father of (all) medicine,” renowned for his “Theory of the Four Humors” and the “Fundamentals of Harmonizing Opposites.” These ancient texts offered a systematic approach to disease pathology, marking a shift away from attributing illness to magic or the gods. However, ancient civilizations had developed medical systems with organized belief systems and practices, long before Hippocrates’ birth in 460 BC.
In fact, many western physicians, philosophers and even scientists studied in ancient civilizations. Medical figures like Homer, Pythagorus and Hippocrates studied in the African city of Kemet, which played a significant role in shaping the health care system of later western civilizations. Written records, dating back as far as 2700 BCE — over 2,000 years before the birth of the “father of medicine” — demonstrate the existence of systematic medical prescriptions and detailed disease observations through medical journals. The parallel is even more striking when we observe pre-existing health theories to classify disease. Ancient Kemet followed the “Law of cause and effect or opposites and harmony,” which is almost verbatim to Hippocrates “Fundamentals of harmonizing the opposite.”
So what allowed these western civilizations to even gain access to this enlightenment? Invasion and conquest, but unfortunately, these truths in history often get lost in the western perspective. Today, this appropriation persists in subtle ways.
The rebranding of traditional medicine
In modern western culture, traditional healing practices that were once dismissed as pseudo-science have been repackaged and normalized. Acupressure, acupuncture and cupping therapy, which are ancient methods for relieving pain and muscle tension, were previously ridiculed by western medicine not even 10 years ago. However, in recent years, these methods gave gained mainstream acceptance, with acupressure rebranded as craniosacral massage, acupuncture derived into microneedling, and cupping now widely practiced in physical therapy clinics.
Similarly, the rise of holistic health has made traditional medicine more palatable to the western audience. However, this rebranding often glosses over or more often dismisses the rich cultural history and ancient knowledge that these practices are rooted in. The western mindset tends to conquer, rename and reshape these interventions, diminishing the contributions of the cultures from which they originated.
Upcoming blogs this month:
1. The use of disease and vaccination as a tool to colonize: Discovery of Americas
2. The use of disease and vaccination as a tool to colonize: The Indian Ocean Trade
3. Honoring the Health Legacy of Ancient Africa
Conclusion
The history of modern medicine extends far beyond the contributions of Hippocrates and ancient Greece. To truly appreciate the origins of healthcare, we must recognize the profound influence of ancient African civilizations like Kemet and other nations. As traditional healing practices become more integrated into modern healthcare, it is crucial to honor the rich histories that have shaped them.
