Amber, a Stone of Sun for Ancient Medicines

Abstract

Amber, a gem that has been very appreciated since antiquity, was used also as an amulet and a medicine. All the most outstanding medical treati ses of the past tell about the therapeutic properties attributed to amber, and report singular recipes to obtain pharmaceutical preparations. Amber was much-sought for this use until the middle of XIX century, but with the beginning of the modern medicine, its use disappeared, carrying with it the memory of ancient times.

Keywords

• succinum;succinic acid
• succinum
• succinic acid
• amber
• ancient pharmaceutical formulations
• resin
• history of pharmacy
• Renaissance medicine