Historical Evolution of the Use of Minerals in Human Health

Abstract

The historical evolution of the use of minerals by humans for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes is most probably as old as the human species itself, naturally first applied on an empirical basis, and later moved to a scientific basis initiated with the dawn of scientific revolution, in the Renaissance. Such evolution is classified in this monograph into three periods: the classical antiquity involving ancient civilizations, Mesopotamian, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman; the Middle Ages and Renaissance; and the modern and contemporaneous ages. In these periods, the interest for certain minerals as healing natural materials is reported and discussed. The “medicinal terras” of the Greek volcanic islands Lemnos, Chios, Samos, Milos, and Kimolos were particularly famed, as was the case of the “Lemnian terra,” which became known as “terra sigillata” or “terra sealed” supposed to possess supernatural healing properties. On the other hand, certain arsenic-, lead-, and mercury-bearing minerals were soon identified by their poison and lethal properties. From the Renaissance onwards, the First and Second Scientific Revolutions and their particular outcomes in pharmacy and medicine have provided the explanations and justifications for both benefits and risks of minerals/human health interactions.