Amber in ancient medicine

Amber and succinic acid have been used in medicine and pharmacology since ancient times. Amber has been used to relieve ear, dental, eye pain.

For this purpose amber had been kindled and the smoke flow had been directed towards painful point, for example, ear canal.

People with rheumatism used to wear amber bracelets. It was believed that smaller stones better “pull” the joint pain. Honey, rose oil and amber powder mixture was used for patients with thyroid diseases.

Amber extract (Extractum succini) in medieval pharmacies was used to strengthen the body of malnourished people, to apply to wounds, bruising, and amber oil (Oleum succini) - to rub the painful body parts. Oral amber powder was used to be prescribed in case of urinary disorders. In order to facilitate teething, mothers used to give amber stones to babies. Amber bracelets were worn, in order to protect from infectious diseases, etc.

In Ancient Greek amber was called electrum, which means – “I defend”, and in Lithuania the word “gintaras” was derived from the word “ginti”.