Fasting spittle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:10, 22 March 2025

A historical medical practice involving the use of saliva

Fasting spittle refers to the practice of using saliva produced after a period of fasting for its purported medicinal properties. This practice has historical roots and has been mentioned in various traditional medical texts.

Historical Background[edit]

The concept of fasting spittle can be traced back to ancient medical traditions. In Ancient Greece, physicians like Hippocrates believed in the healing properties of saliva. The idea was that saliva produced after a period of fasting was purer and more potent.

In medieval Europe, fasting spittle was used in folk medicine as a remedy for various ailments. It was thought to have antimicrobial properties and was used to treat skin infections, warts, and other minor ailments.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

The belief in the efficacy of fasting spittle is based on the idea that saliva contains enzymes and other substances that can aid in healing. Saliva contains amylase, lysozyme, and other enzymes that have mild antiseptic properties. The fasting state was thought to enhance these properties, although there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.

Modern Perspective[edit]

In modern medicine, the use of fasting spittle is largely considered a pseudoscience. While saliva does have some natural antibacterial properties, the practice of using fasting spittle as a treatment is not supported by contemporary scientific research.

However, the study of saliva and its components continues to be an area of interest in medical research. Saliva is used in diagnostic tests for various conditions, and its role in oral health is well-documented.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Despite the lack of scientific backing, fasting spittle remains a part of traditional medicine in some cultures. It is often associated with rituals and superstitions, reflecting the historical significance of saliva in healing practices.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Fasting spittle'''&nbsp;– [[saliva]] produced first thing in the morning, before breakfast&nbsp;– has been used to treat a wide variety of diseases for many hundreds of years. Spittle cures are usually considered to be more effective if [[fasting]] spittle is used.{{sfnp|Roud|2006|loc=wart cures: fasting spittle|ps=none}}
+{{Short description|A historical medical practice involving the use of saliva}}
-An early recorded use of spittle as a cure comes from the [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel of St Mark]], believed to have been written in about 70&nbsp;AD:
+'''Fasting spittle''' refers to the practice of using saliva produced after a period of fasting for its purported medicinal properties. This practice has historical roots and has been mentioned in various traditional medical texts.
-{{bq|text=And they bring unto him [Jesus] one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech&nbsp;... And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. {{bibleverse||Mark|7:32–5}}}}
-Writing at about the same time as Mark, the Roman [[natural philosopher]] [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] commented in his ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Natural History]]'' that fasting spittle was efficacious in the treatment of [[ophthalmia]], and that the fasting spittle of a woman was particularly beneficial for treating bloodshot eyes.{{r|OpieTatem}}
-==References==
+==Historical Background==
+The concept of fasting spittle can be traced back to ancient medical traditions. In [[Ancient Greece]], physicians like [[Hippocrates]] believed in the healing properties of saliva. The idea was that saliva produced after a period of fasting was purer and more potent.
-===Citations===
+In [[medieval]] Europe, fasting spittle was used in [[folk medicine]] as a remedy for various ailments. It was thought to have [[antimicrobial]] properties and was used to treat [[skin infections]], [[warts]], and other minor ailments.
-{{reflist|refs=
-<ref name="OpieTatem">
+==Mechanism of Action==
-{{citation |editor1-last=Opie |editor1-first=Iona |editor2-last=Tatem |editor2-first=Moira |contribution=SPITTLE cures (usually 'fasting spittle') |title=A Dictionary of Superstitions |year=1996 |publisher=Oxford University Press |edition=online |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t72.e133 |access-date=12 December 2012}} {{subscription required}}
+The belief in the efficacy of fasting spittle is based on the idea that saliva contains enzymes and other substances that can aid in healing. Saliva contains [[amylase]], [[lysozyme]], and other enzymes that have mild [[antiseptic]] properties. The fasting state was thought to enhance these properties, although there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.
-</ref>
-}}
+==Modern Perspective==
+In modern [[medicine]], the use of fasting spittle is largely considered a [[pseudoscience]]. While saliva does have some natural [[antibacterial]] properties, the practice of using fasting spittle as a treatment is not supported by contemporary scientific research.
-===Bibliography===
+However, the study of saliva and its components continues to be an area of interest in medical research. Saliva is used in [[diagnostic tests]] for various conditions, and its role in [[oral health]] is well-documented.
-{{refbegin}}
-*{{citation |last=Roud |first=Steve |title=The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland |year=2006 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-051512-1}}
-{{refend}}
-[[Category:Folklore]]
+==Cultural Significance==
-[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
+Despite the lack of scientific backing, fasting spittle remains a part of [[traditional medicine]] in some cultures. It is often associated with [[rituals]] and [[superstitions]], reflecting the historical significance of saliva in healing practices.
-[[Category:Saliva]]
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Saliva]]
+* [[Traditional medicine]]
+* [[Folk medicine]]
+* [[Antimicrobial]]
+* [[Pseudoscience]]
-{{folklore-stub}}
+[[Category:Traditional medicine]]
-{{alt-med-stub}}
+[[Category:Historical medical practices]]
-{{dictionary-stub1}}