Apothecaries of the Renaissance

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Apothecariesof the Renaissance

• By Kimberly Simpson

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What is an Apothecary??

• One who prepared and sold drugs and other
  medicines during the Medieval and Renaissance
  Periods
• A Pharmacist

Defined in The American Heritage Dictionary
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A Little History

• During the Medieval Period (1200-1450AD),
  Apothecaries, Physicians and Barber Surgeons made
  up one class (medici)
• Later they would split to form several different
  occupations each independent of the other

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The Life of an Apothecary

• The apothecary typically was a member of the
  upper middleclass
• Legally, they were not permitted to treat a
  patient.
• Many apothecaries would accompany physicians when
  they visited a patient

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Did you know?

• Typically, apothecaries prescribed different
  herbs to treat the ailments of the sick.

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• Many apothecaries also sold cosmetics, soaps
• They were also notoriously known to traffic
  illegal substances (i.e. Poisons)

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Whats in a Name??

• Also called Rosa gallica officinalis
• Apothecarys rose came to Europe in 12th or 13
  century
• Grown in monasteries
• Most often painted rose of the Renaissance
• Used for perfume and dries potpourri
• Also steeped in wine as a cure for hangovers

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Apothecarys Rose

• Reportedly aided in
• Indigestion
• Sore throats
• Skin rashes
• Eye maladies
• www.markw.com/apothros.htm
• article for Just Roses

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Herbs, Herbs, Herbs!!

• Because medicine was still in its infancy many
  people used herbs as a way of treating all types
  of illness. Most of the herbs were used based on
  folklore, wives tales and word of mouth.

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Warning Do not attempt to use these items
Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, Pa Rodale Press,
1987

• Aloe - believed to prevent hair loss and clear
  blemishes
• Catnip - cured evils a man has about his throat
• Chamomile - indigestions and menstrual cramps
• Cloves - relieved toothaches
• Burdock - keep child within womb if rubbed on a
  womans navel during labor

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Warning Do not attempt to use these items
Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, Pa Rodale Press,
1987

• Dill increased a nursing mothers milk
• Fennel, used in broth was believed to make fat
  people lean
• Garlic killed worms in children
• Mint cured indigestion
• Myrrh was used for sore throat, sore gums and
  mouth ulcers
• Oregano was believed to stop people from sighing
  too much
• Parsley repelled lice
• Sage stopped perspiration
• Thyme could cure epilepsy and melancholy
  (depression) if stuffed in their pillow
• Witch Hazel was used for ulcers and hemorrhoids

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Poisons

• Shakespeare mentions the use of poison in
  several of his plays, including Romeo and Juliet.
  
• Romeo
• Let me have a dram of poison, such soon-speeding
  gear as will disperse itself through all the
  veins,
• (Act V.I.lns 59-61)

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Some common poisonsof the Renaissance Period

• Cantharides (Spanish Fly)
• Cyanide (obtained from apples seeds, bitter
  almonds)
• Hellebore
• Hemlock
• Henbane
• Tares
• Opium
• Poisonous mushrooms
• Solanum
• Arsenic

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Poisoning Enemies was Widespread

• Remedies for poisons
• Gemstones
• (amethyst and emeralds)
• Unicorn horn
• Indian Rhinoceros

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After the Renaissance

• Shortly after Shakespeare's Death (April 23,
  1616), Apothecaries formed their own guild.
• By 19th Century, the rose was planted outside the
  entrance to any Apothecary Shop and became the
  symbol associated with their craft.
• By the Early 20th century, the Apothecary had
  renamed itself the Pharmacy

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Enrichment Activity

• Try your hand at making an elixir.
• Homemade Cough Syrup
• Materials needed
• Small container with lid
• Bottle of honey
• Lemon
• Lemon Squeezer
• Spoon
• Measuring Cup

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Cough Syrup Recipe

• Take 1 lemon and Squeeze with Lemon Squeezer
  until you get ½ ounce
• Then get a jar of honey and a small container
• Pour 1 ounce of honey into the container
• Pour a small amount of lemon juice into the small
  container
• Get a spoon and stir for a few moments
• Place lid back on container
• Congratulations,
• you've made cough syrup!
• Dont forget to throw out
• any unused syrup
• after 24 hours!!!!
• www.ga.k12.pa.us/academics/ls/3/Colonial/Craftday/