Panacea (medicine)
Panacea (pronounced: /pænəˈsiːə/) is a term that originates from the Greek mythology, named after the goddess of universal remedy, Panakeia. In medicine, it refers to a solution or remedy that is proposed to cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely.
Etymology
The term 'Panacea' is derived from the Greek words 'pan', meaning 'all', and 'akos', meaning 'remedy'. It was first used in the English language in the 16th century and has since been used to refer to a universal cure in medicine.
Related Terms
- Elixir of Life: A mythical potion that, when drunk from a certain cup at a certain time, supposedly grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth.
- Cure-all: A remedy or solution for all diseases or problems.
- Snake oil: A term used to describe fraudulent health products or unproven medicine.
- Placebo: A substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value.
- Nocebo: A detrimental effect on health produced by psychological or psychosomatic factors such as negative expectations of treatment or prognosis.
In Medicine
In the field of medicine, a panacea is a remedy that is claimed to cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. It was sought by alchemists in connection with the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical substance that was supposed to enable the transmutation of common metals into gold.
While the concept of a panacea may be desirable, it is largely considered to be a myth. Modern medicine focuses on treating individual diseases with specific treatments, rather than seeking a single, cure-all remedy. However, the term is still used metaphorically to describe a solution to a large, complex problem.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Panacea (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Panacea (medicine)
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