The Trotula: A Medieval Compendium of Women’s Medicine, is a twelfth century work on women’s health containing three books. In this work, there are quite a few instructions on how to take care of the teeth. This post discusses two of them. The edition of the book I used is dated 2001 from the University of Pennsylvania Press.
Recipe 182
“[182]For black and badly colored teeth, take walnut shells well cleaned of the interior rind, which is green, and we rub the teeth three times a day, and when they have been well rubbed, we wash the mouth with warm wine, and with salt mixed in if desired.”
The main component of this recipe is walnut shell. There are many old home remedies that recommend using black walnut shells to remove tartar and whiten teeth. I have found no scientific evidence to support this. I did find a lot of articles about using walnut shell material to remove crude oil from water. So, that’s a thing.
The next ingredient referenced is wine. Which, I am pleased to say, I have finally found a study supporting the use of in oral hygiene. In February 2018, a study was published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry entitled “Inhibition of Oral Pathogens Adhesion to Human Gingival Fibroblasts by Wine Polyphenols Alone and in Combination with an Oral Probiotic” that suggests that our predecessors were doing something right. Results of the study “highlighted the antiadhesive capacity of caffeic and p-coumaric acids as well as grape seed and red wine oenological extracts.” (1) This shows a correlation between drinking red wine and reduced oral bacteria build up on the teeth.
I’m interested enough to try it, and will be purchasing walnuts in their lovely shells for this purpose. Stay tuned for updates with before and after photos.
Recipe 237
The next recipe found in The Trotula that I wish to discuss is “237.” This one contains a significant number of ingredients, most of which are easily obtained in today’s market. It has some similarities to other recipes I have found, which I will touch on briefly as we go.
“[237] For whitening black teeth and strengthening corroded or rotted gums and for a bad-smelling mouth, this works the best. Take some each of cinnamon, clove, spikenard, mastic, frankincense, grain,wormwood, crab foot, date pits, and olives. Grind all of these and reduce them to a powder, then rub the affected places.”
I discussed cinnamon in a previous post. Read Daily Living – Dental Hygiene in the 16th Century for information on cinnamon in oral hygiene. It is used in several late period recipes for dentifrices. More information regarding cinnamon is found below as it is involved in the same study as cloves.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), has been shown to have antibacterial properties. A study published in 2007 in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology had been designed to “evaluate the antimicrobial activity of six Indian spice extracts, namely clove, cinnamon, mustard, garlic, ginger and mint.” (2) Clove, and cinnamon, were shown to have a strong effect on both E. coli and B. cereus, though less on S. aureus bacterium. The phenolic components of both clove and cinnamon, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, respectively, render them effective against the micro-organisms utilized in the study. (3)
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi), is best known for its aromatic therapeutic properties. A study published in 2016, N. jatamansi was shown to have both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.(4) The phenolic acid of the plant are “powerful antioxidants and they have several biological activities against bacteria, virus, cancer cells and inflammation.” (5) This would make spikenard excellent in cases where gums were inflammed and irritated. It would also aid in the fight against the bacteria causing oral diseases.
I discussed mastic in a previous post. I have found it mentioned in a few late period dentifrice and mouth wash recipes.
Frankincense is derived from trees from the genus Boswellia. Research has shown a link between essential oils from frankincense and a decrease in pro-inflammatory biomarkers, which points to it having anti-inflammatory potential. (6) It is important to note that the study I found was relating to skin abrasions and dermal bacterial growth. I have been unable to find any evidence of the use frankincense in oral care. Still, it would not be a major stretch to infer that our predecessors would have seen frankincense as a general anti-bacterial agent based on its effectiveness in the treatment of skin abrasions.
The ingredient grain is vague at best and I have found no additional evidence at this time to suggest it had a practical use other than as an abrasive substance. Additional research is warranted.
Artemisinins, derived from wormwood, Artemisia annua, have been used in the treatment of malaria. “Their efficacy also extends to phylogenentically unrelated parasitic infections such as schistosomiasis.” (7) The CDC defines schistosomiasis as a disease caused by parasitic worms. Humans become infected when coming in contact with contaminated fresh water. (8) Published in 2008, a study of artemisinins shows they are effective treatment against parasites. (9) This would explain why it would have been included in a dentifrice. Wormwood kills parasites found in contaminated water, thus reducing risk of infection when an individual comes in contact with bad water.
When researching date pits, or seeds, I was skeptical that they could have any function other than as an abrasive. However, as I looked into it, I realized the health benefits of date pits, and its positive effect on the body was much greater than something to help wipe away food build up on the teeth. Roasted date pits have a high mineral content; particularly Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorous, and Sodium. (10)
They are also high in phenolic compounds. “Phenolic compounds of fruit sees mainly phenolicsacids, have been shown to possess such benefits as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as the reduction of cardiovascular diseases (11). Based on this, I am confident that ground, roasted date pits were important in the maintenance of good oral hygiene in this application.
Unusual Ingredients
There is a wild vine that grows in China called Pang Xie Jiao, or crab’s feet. It is used in Chinese herbal medicine. I have found no other information other than from various websites selling it as an herbal supplement or tea. Additional research is absolutely warranted as my interest has been piqued.
The oil from olives has well established health benefits. Olives by themselves, however, do not have as much research into about them. As burnt remains of the fruit itself are part of the recipe, I felt it important to look at research on the fruit, and not its oil. Unfortunately, to date, I have found nothing credible. Further research is required.
I am less inclined to try this recipe, though it does intrigue me. Once I have found out more about crab’s feet, I might consider giving it a try.
My initial research is complete, but there is still some information I need to take a closer look at. That finished, I will be exploring an actual recreation of these recipes and sharing the results.
End Notes
- J. Agric. Food Chem.20186692071-2082Publication Date:February 21, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b05466
- Institute of Food Science & Tech 2007 Publication Date: April 2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01308.x page 910
- Ibid
- J Orthop. 2016 Sep; 13(3): 181–189.Published online 2016 May 21. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2016.04.002
- Ibid
- Biochimi Open 4 (2017) 31-35 Publication date 2017 February 3 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopen.2017.01.003
- Trends Parmacol Sci. 520-527 2008 October 29 doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2008.07.004
- CDC Website. Accessed 2019 July 5 https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/index.html
- Trends Parmacol Sci. 520-527 2008 October 29 doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2008.07.004
- World Journal of Dairy & Food Sciences 9 308-316, 2014 doi: 10.5829/idosi.wjdfs.2014.9.2.91144
- Ibid