Unsplash/Szymon FischerFor a long time, ancient medical treatments were either dismissed as superstition or brushed aside as primitive guesswork. And to be fair, plenty of historical cures, from drinking mercury to balancing your humours, absolutely deserve to stay in the past. Of course, not all ancient medical wisdom was nonsense. In fact, modern researchers are beginning to take a second look at some long-forgotten methods and finding that a surprising number of them have real scientific merit. Here are several ancient medical practices that modern science is starting to reconsider.
Honey as a wound treatment
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese all used honey to treat wounds and infections, and for good reason. Honey has natural antibacterial properties thanks to its low pH and high sugar content, which draws moisture out of bacteria and helps prevent infection. Some types of honey, particularly Manuka honey, also contain a compound called methylglyoxal, which enhances their antimicrobial power.
Modern studies have confirmed honey’s usefulness in wound healing, especially for burns and ulcers. It’s even used in some hospitals today as part of sterile dressings, and researchers are exploring ways to develop synthetic alternatives inspired by its chemistry.
Trepanation (skull drilling)
It sounds like the stuff of nightmares, but trepanation, drilling or scraping a hole into the skull, was practised across ancient cultures, from Neolithic Europe to pre-Columbian Peru. Historically, it was used to treat everything from head trauma to seizures and mental illness.
While we now know that drilling into the skull isn’t a catch-all remedy, some researchers are re-examining trepanation as an early form of neurosurgery. Many ancient patients survived the procedure, as evidenced by bone regrowth around the holes. The survival rate alone is prompting a rethink of how much ancient practitioners understood about pressure on the brain and injury management.
Leech therapy
Leeches were a staple of medieval medicine, famously used to “balance the humours” by drawing blood. The practice fell out of favour as modern medicine advanced, but it’s been making a quiet comeback, particularly in microsurgery.
Leeches produce anticoagulants that help prevent blood clots and promote circulation in reattached fingers, ears, and skin grafts. Their saliva contains dozens of beneficial compounds, and in very specific circumstances, leech therapy is once again being used in hospitals. Far from a medieval oddity, leech treatment is being reconsidered as a tool in modern reconstructive medicine.
Willow bark for pain relief
Before paracetamol and ibuprofen, there was willow bark. Used in ancient Greece and China to treat pain and fever, it contains salicin, a compound similar to aspirin. The connection was formally recognised in the 19th century, leading to the development of acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin.
Now, researchers are looking again at natural forms of salicin and how they might offer fewer side effects than synthesised versions. Herbalists and alternative medicine practitioners never really stopped using willow bark, but the scientific community is giving it another look with more rigorous study.
Acupuncture
Long considered pseudoscience in the West, acupuncture is based on the idea of balancing energy (or “qi”) in the body using fine needles inserted at specific points. While the traditional explanation doesn’t hold up under scientific scrutiny, some modern researchers have found measurable effects in controlled studies.
Acupuncture has shown promise for treating chronic pain, migraines, and even nausea after surgery or chemotherapy. While the mechanism is still debated—some suggest it stimulates nerves or triggers endorphin release—many mainstream health organisations now include it as a complementary treatment.
Fermented foods and gut health
Ancient cultures didn’t have a scientific understanding of microbiomes, but they did know that fermented foods like yoghurt, kimchi, and kefir helped with digestion and overall health. These foods were staples in diets from the Middle East to East Asia.
Today, science has caught up. We now know that these foods contain probiotics that can support gut health, influence mood, and boost immune response. Researchers are exploring how traditional fermentation methods might hold keys to preventing or managing everything from IBS to depression.
Herbal smoke inhalation
Burning herbs like thyme, rosemary, and frankincense was a common practice in ancient temples and sickrooms, not just for scent, but for cleansing the air. While it may have seemed symbolic, there’s emerging evidence that some of these herbs release antimicrobial compounds when burned.
Modern researchers are exploring whether smoke from certain herbs could help disinfect enclosed spaces, particularly in areas without access to strong sanitation. While it’s not about to replace bleach, this line of study is giving new weight to an old ritual.
Clay and earth-based remedies
Many ancient societies used clay both internally and externally to treat illness. Clay was used for skin conditions, digestive issues, and even as a wound dressing. The Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians all used various types of clay, believing it to draw out toxins.
Modern research supports some of these uses. Certain types of clay, especially bentonite, can bind to toxins and bacteria in the gut. Others have antimicrobial properties when applied to wounds. Pharmaceutical companies are now looking at how modified clays might be used in drug delivery or detoxification.
Oil pulling
This practice, rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, involves swishing oil (usually coconut or sesame) around the mouth to “pull” out toxins. While its broader health claims remain debatable, some research has shown it may reduce oral bacteria and improve gum health.
Compared to modern mouthwashes that can disrupt the oral microbiome, oil pulling may offer a gentler alternative. Dentists aren’t exactly prescribing it in place of brushing and flossing, but it’s being taken more seriously as a supplementary oral hygiene practice.
Fasting and detox routines
The idea of abstaining from food for health reasons goes back thousands of years. Ancient Greek philosophers, Ayurvedic texts, and early religious practices all included fasting as a way to cleanse the body and mind.
Modern science has found that intermittent fasting can trigger processes like autophagy, where the body clears out damaged cells. It’s being studied for potential benefits related to metabolism, brain health, and longevity. While the motivations have changed, the core idea isn’t so far removed from what ancient practitioners advocated.
Ancient medicine wasn’t always right, but it wasn’t always wrong either.
Many of these early practices were born from close observation, trial and error, and an intuitive sense of how the body responds to the natural world. Today’s researchers are proving that some of this inherited wisdom holds up under the microscope. And while modern science won’t be reviving every ancient cure, it’s beginning to recognise that the past may still have a few remedies worth bringing into the future.
