4000 B.C.
Ancient sumerians studied the stars and animal intestines to divine men’s fate and physical condition.
3000 B.C.
The Egyptian Imhotep, born around 3,000 B.C., was a preist and advisor to pharaohs and the first physician known by name. After his death, he was name a demi-god and eventually a god: the Egyptian god of medicine.
The Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is said to have begun tasting plants and other natural materials to determine which were poisonous and which were beneficial. He is credited with establishing hundreds of herbal medicines.
1500 B.C.
The most complete record of ancient egyptian medicine and pharmacology, called the Papyrus Ebers, dates back to 1500 B.C. This scroll is over 1100 pages and includes over 800 prescriptions using over 700 drugs, mostly derived from plants .
600 B.C.
A cult following Aesculapius, the Greek god of Medicine, established centers where medicine was practiced.
200 B.C.
The first official Chinese “herbal”, the Shen Nung Pen Tsao, listing 365 herbs for use in health treatments, is believed to have been published.