Nutraceuticals in the Work of Scribonius Largus, a Pioneer of Clinical Pharmacy in Ancient Rome

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of nutraceuticals has been recognized by severalancient civilizations. The majority of physicians would use them in their practice and transmit their experience to their disciples. Nonetheless, few physicians have contributed to the dissemination of this knowledge further and its integration intothe standard of care of their era. Scribonius Largus, a renowned physician and pharmacist in ancient Rome has summarized the existing knowledge on nutraceuticals in his pharmacognosy and therapeutics textbook “Compositiones”. As a physician to the imperial court, he used his position and resources to advance the relevant knowledge, educate erudite and lay physicians across the Roman Empire,and establish ethical practices in the field. Revisiting his contributions provides valuable lessons for contemporary researchers and practitioners.©2022iGlobal Research and PublishingFoundation. All rights reserved.