Scientists consider that the history of medicine starts from the early time of humanity, when the need of protecting and saving people was an active human desire.

There are texts that testify the existence of a certain type of medicine in Mesopotamia – the heart of civilization in the 3000-2500 BC. There are also texts about the medicinal practices in the Neo-Assyrian period, Middle Assyrian and Middle Babylonian periods. Although the existence of diseases was the creation of Gods, ghosts and spirits of different types, medical prescriptions were rational manifestations of our ancestors. There were some special types of medical practitioners who prescribed spells and charms, so that the ghosts or spirits that were responsible for the disease or illness had mercy and let the patient alone.

Ancient Egyptian medicine is also known from texts and herbal prescriptions, fact that points out the fact that natural resources were used in order to overcome some illnesses and diseases. For example, garlic was known for its digestion role, henna was used for diarrhea and closing the open wounds, aloe vera was known for its special role in diminishing headaches, helping in allergies and ulcer treatment. There were also mixtures of magic and superstitious beliefs. Apart from the suspicious witch doctors, there also were specialists and doctors that are nowadays called physicians. Nevertheless, those who used spells and magic formulas were more famous than the others.

Chinese medicine with herbal based technique, acupressure, acupuncture and other methods of healing may be considered to be the earliest healing systems. The whole Chinese medicine is based on the harmonious existence of the concepts Yin and Yang, responsible for the harmonious functioning of the body, mind and soul. That is why acupressure and acupuncture are also based on the same philosophic principles. Both acupuncture and acupressure help the restoration of the body health by minimizing or maximizing the energy flow through meridians, some special body points.

Traditional Indian medicine was also based in herbal knowledge and their usage in case of injuries, illnesses and diseases. Moreover, Buddhism is associated with the very beginnings of the medical practice in India, as the main aim of Buddhism was to diminish and eliminate sufferings. The human nature was understood and treated in a holistic understanding with Buddhist accents.

Islamic medicine seems to have many influences from the neighbors and the other countries and people that were influencing the atmosphere of some epochs. Islamic medicine was varied and adopted many diverse techniques and methods. A mixture of religious and cultural influences may be seen in the medieval Islamic medicine. A coexistence of superstitions, religious beliefs and medical knowledge is to be noticed.

Greek medicine is considered the starting point for the western medicine. The formation of a Greek medical system seems to take place between 800 BCE and 200 CE, being considered a distinct system than the mystical practices and beliefs. This experience and practice was developed during the existence of the Roman Empire and was transformed during the centuries. Later on, during the medieval times and the early modern period, some documents and texts of the ancient Greek physicians were discovered and published, spreading the knowledge of the Greeks in the countries that were developed. The modern period brought many theories and practices, techniques and methods more or less empirical and rational. These are the times of the most ardent anatomic searches and discoveries.

The 18th century is known to be the century of the chemical revolution and vaccination discovery while the 19th century is the period of the discoveries in microbiology. The 19th century is the fabulous period of the Dmitry Mendeleev discoveries, Louis Pasteur’s medical development. The 20th century brings more discoveries, more developments of the already known facts and practices.