Mendes is an important city of ancient Egypt, in the Nile Delta. The bolus of Mendes or Mendesian bole refers to a medical preparation with organic materials including clay. Bolus of Mendes is also a physician of the 3rd century BCE. This entry is about the clay.
The medical treatment bolus of Mendes or Mendesian bole refers to a preparation associated with ancient Mendes and the mineral clays once prevalent in the area. Mendes is known as the center of worship for the ram-headed potter god, Banebdjedet.
Banebjedet creates all the people and animals on his potter's wheel. He breathes life into them with the spirit of Heka, or magic. Thus, the clay of the region is not just the soggy sand underfoot, but part of the human and all beings.
Other clays are also renowned for healing properties. These include Armenian Bole, Earth of Chios (white silt clay) and Clay of Sinope on the Black Sea, a busy trading port. The latter comes from the middle of today's Turkey, sold through the port at Sinope to hide its location.
The term "bolus" comes from the Greek for "lump" in terms of a medical concoction, pill, poultice or remedy. Bolus in modern medicine is a single dose of a drug or other medicinal preparation given all at once.
In ancient texts, bolus of Mendes is associated with the treatment of specific illnesses, particularly those related to the head and digestive system. The mixture includes various regional herbs, animal fats and minerals.
Because Mendes is in the broad nutritious Nile delta, ingredients are plentiful and diverse. Herbs from the waters or minerals of miraculous silt imbue the bolus with spiritual significance. In ancient Egypt spirituality, magic and medicine are interconnected.
Historical Context
Mendes and its surrounding territory becomes prominent during the Late Period of ancient Egypt. The city is noted for its connection to fertility and regeneration, largely because of its association with god Banebdjedet, who embodies protection and healing.
This connection illustrates medicinal practices of the time, entwining the divine with the medical. Healing secrets of Mendes appear in medical papyri such as the Ebers Papyrus, which documents Egyptian medical knowledge and practice.
Ingredients of Healing
What makes the bolus of Mendes unique is its formulation. Ancient Egyptian medicine heavily relies on natural remedies, making use of herbs, minerals, and animal products. The clays of the Delta are inundated yearly with minerals from the floods, when Sirius the Dog Star rises.
This astronomical event holds great meaning. Not only the ancient Egyptians but later physicians of the Renaissance are required to understand astrology. For example the plant Valerian is equated with Mercury and a "hot, dry" aspect, treating conditions moist or cold.
Some commonly used ingredients which may be used in the bolus include:
Honey: Known for its antibacterial properties and ability to promote wound healing.
Myrrh: A resin that had anti-inflammatory properties and was often used in ancient Egyptian embalming.
Garlic: Celebrated for its health benefits and believed to provide strength and vitality.
Frankincense: Used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Clay of Mendes (Earth of Mendes or Mendesian bole) is an important ingredient. It's sacred to Banebdjedet. As he creates many things from his clay, including people, women who want children bring a potter's wheel to the temple of the god.
The incorporation of specific ingredients demonstrates a strong understanding of the medicinal properties of various plants and minerals. It's also a holistic approach to health emphasizing the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Mendes clays have particularly divine connections. Banebdjedet, his wife Hatmehit the fish goddess, and son Horus the Child, collectively known as the Mendesian Triad, give protection and blessings of fertility to Mendes. The Upper Egypt equivalent to Banebdjedet is Khnum.
Rituals and Beliefs
The act of creating the bolus often involves specific incantations, emphasizing the significance of language and sound in the healing process. Egyptians consider music important when communing with the gods.
It should be gently played to please the ears of the deities, or with vigor to get their attention. The spoken and written word or symbol also carries great power. Thus the words written by the priest and/or physician as prescriptions bear the energy and authority of the healer.
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