THE USE OF GRAPE / WINE IN FOLK MEDICINE IN THE ANCIENT TIME

Abstract

The therapeutic use of herbs existed long before the development and spread of modern medicine and is still defined as therapeutic methods. The consumption of fresh and dried grapes or as wine after processing grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) fruits has been used for treatment in folk medicine since about 8500 BC to 4000 BC. Ancient China, Egyptian medicine and Hippocrates (5th-4th century BC), Theophrastus (4th century BC), Dioscurides, Plinius the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus/1st century AD), Klaudios Galenos (2nd century AD), et al. Grape/wine was widely used by ancient doctors as a cure for diseases. Although there are many studies on the origin, economy, and trade of wine, its medical use has not been discussed much. This study was prepared using the document analysis method, one of the qualitative research models, by surveying primary sources and foreign and domestic research studies after the literature review. The purpose of the study is to analyze the historical role of wine, which has been popular in medicine throughout the ages, in the treatment of diseases in ancient folk medicine by evaluating the works of ancient doctors and information obtained from written sources. The secondary purpose is to emphasize the importance and place of wine in the public health of ancient society.