Bezoars: A Not-So-Magical Therapy from the Past

Abstract

Bezoars are commonly viewed by the modern orthodox medical community as gastrointestinal anomalies requiring treatment. However, that was not always the case. In the past, they were widely regarded as a remedy by all levels of society, including the well-to-do and even royalty. Several bezoar stones were discovered among the cherished items reclaimed from the sunken Spanish treasure ship, Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Today, especially in rural areas, medical powers are still ascribed to bezoar stones. This column reviews a small assortment of Web sites on traditional medical uses of bezoars.

KEYWORDS:

• Antidotes
• bezoars
• curative stones
• folk remedies
• poison treatment
• traditional medicine