A historical survey on "Haoma" plant in ancient Iran and India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Research Office for the History of Persian Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

In the ancient world many scientific beliefs were rooted in religion and were shared among civilizations. One of the important commonality of two civilizations of Iran and India is the medical field, especially curative plants."Hume" was one of these herbs which treated many diseases. This planet is called "Haoma" in "Avesta", "Soma" in Sanskrit and "Hume" in Persian. It had remedial features and was believed by both civilizations to contain water of life and immortality. Iranians used it in their rites and ceremonies. "Haoma"or "Soma" was assigned a divine role and was worshiped as a god. The extract of "Haoma" granted supernatural power and was accepted as a God who was able to give strength and health.

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