The Indian medical system influenced the Egyptians
Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, had great influence on the medical system of ancient Egypt.
1) The Egyptians used many herbs and minerals, that are commonly found commonly in Ayurvedic texts.
2) There are evidences that the physicians of ancient Egypt had exchange of knowledge between India and Egypt. They have been confirmed by recent archaeological studies.
3) History says that the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, whose ruling period extends between 1303 BC and 1213 BC, had sent physicians to the kings of other countries to train themselves in the respective medical systems of those countries. India which has a flourishing medical system should have influenced the Pharaoh.
4) Papyrus texts which belong to 4,000 years before the Christian era give details about the use of essential oils and spices from the eastern world, mentioning most of the Ayurvedic herbs. They tell about the Egyptian import of aromatic herbs and flowers from countries like India and China.
5) Egyptians gave much importance to smell. It had been a part of their culture. South India, the center of Ayurveda, has been famous for spices and aromatic materials for which the western world had trade contacts with India. Egyptian mummies give evidence for this.
Ayurveda is growing in popularity all over the world. It had great influence in all the ancient civilizations. No wonder that it had influenced ancient Egyptians.
(My own article originally published on Bubblews.com)
