July 7th 2020

Aspirin, the story began 2.500 years ago

Aspirin is among the first drugs in common usage, the most researched in the world. But the history began in 400 BC: In Greece, Hippocrates discovers that the willow leaf tea contains a natural compound that helps women to ease the pain of childbirth. It was first used from Hippocrates in Kos. This is from where aspirin is derived.

Many centuries later, in 1897: German chemist Felix Hoffmann was working for the pharmaceutical company Bayer.  Possibly under the direction of colleague Arthur Eichengrün, he finds that adding an acetyl group to salicylic acid reduces its irritant properties. Bayer patents the process.
1950: Aspirin enters the Guinness World Records for being the most frequently sold painkiller.
 

Hippocrates, of Kos (460-370 BC), the father of Western Medicine
Philosopher, scientist, author, doctor, one of the greatest in the ancient Greek World, was born on the island of Kos in 460 BC he died in 370 BC.

Hippocrates still apropos to his advice
Some 2,500 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates, wrote: “Drugs may be administered to pregnant women from the fourth to the seventh month of gestation.”
If only this Hippocratic advice had been followed half a century ago, the devastating birth defects due to thalidomide would not have occurred, since the drug has its teratogenic effects between the 34th and 50th days of gestation, well before the four-month period that Hippocrates deemed safe.
Hippocrates held the belief that the body must be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts. He accurately described many symptoms of diseases. He was the first physician to accurately describe the symptoms of pneumonia, as well as epilepsy in children. He believed in the natural healing process of rest, a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He noted that there were individual differences in the severity of disease symptoms and that some individuals were better able to cope with their disease and illness than others. He was also the first physician that held the belief that thoughts, ideas, and feelings come from the brain and not the heart as others of him time believed.
Hippocrates notes the effect of food, of occupation, and especially of climate in causing disease. He understood that disease arose out of other factors - diet, age, environmental factors. One of his books, “De aëre, aquis et locis (Air, Waters and Places)”, is the earliest work on human ecology. He left behind approx. 70 medical books, in one of which his famous passage stands: “first do not harm”. The most significant is the “Oath of Hippocrates”. It states the obligations and proper conduct of doctors. It constitutes a monument of the highest order in the history of civilization. It reflects a historic landmark in medical ethics.
 Asklepieion of Kos, the Famous Medical School for 800 years
After the death of Hippocrates his two sons Thessalos and Drakon and his son-in-law Polybos continued the way of their great ancestor. They transmitted his knowledge to their children Hippocrates III and Hippocrates IV. All of them became well known physicians.
It was at their time when the new Asklepieion of Kos as it is known today, it was built. The oath of Hippocrates is respectfully recited during ceremony in the Asklepieion.
  The Hippocratic Garden
The pharmacological knowledge reflected in the Hippocratic Collection is remarkable. They used herbs, some animal medicines, and various mineral ones. Herb-gatherers and the so-called root-slicers, supplied physicians with leaves, flowers, juices, roots, and plants which they regarded as having curative properties.
Out of them, they prepared powders, tablets, drops, suppositories, vaginal uvula, crèmes, syrups, ointments, spirits, and many others.
At least 250 different plants are mentioned in the Hippocratic Collection. Of these more than 22o different sorts, have been planted in the “Garden of Hippocrates” of the International Hippocratic Foundation in Kos , http://hippocraticfoundation.org/.
From antiquity to nowadays, the therapeutic or healing dimension of the garden symbolizes its contribution to good health in general. It is used by modern medicine in specific applications and psychotherapeutic interventions for children and older people. Combining with the valuable cultural good coming from the legacy of Hippocrates improves the quality of life in total community and influences with its positive energy the visitors.
 
Koullias Hotels supports the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos http://hippocraticfoundation.org/ and sponsors the development and maintenance of the famous Hippocrates botanical garden. It commits to raise awareness and to encourage visits to the Museum and the Botanical Garden. It aims to share the inspiration, knowledge, values and approach of Hippocrates, “Father of Western Medicine” on health and well-being for over 2.500 years.