Latest news with #Leja
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
The surprising medical remedies of the Middle Ages, from lizard oil to a sweet migraine hack
Turns out, the Dark Ages weren't so dim when it came to wellness. Researchers have unearthed a trove of medical remedies dating back over a thousand years, revealing that early medieval Europeans were far more health-savvy than historians once believed. 'People in the early Middle Ages were quite into science, into observation, into figuring out the utility of different natural substances, and trying to identify patterns and make predictions,' Dr. Meg Leja, an associate professor of history at Binghamton University who helped led the effort, told Science Daily. Advertisement 3 New research suggests that ancient healers developed treatments rooted in natural remedies, keen observation and practical know-how. DM7 – Turns out, they might have been onto something — and today's wellness gurus are just catching up. 'A lot of things that you see in these manuscripts are actually being promoted online currently as alternative medicine, but they have been around for thousands of years,' Leja explained. Advertisement Got a headache? Forget Ibuprofen. A thousand years ago, the go-to remedy was a mixture of crushed peach pit and rose oil slathered on the forehead. While it might sound more witchcraft than wellness, modern science suggests they weren't entirely off-base: A 2017 study found rose oil may offer short-term relief from migraine pain — though the crushed peach pit is a bit more questionable. Another 9th-century manuscript's advice for improving hair health begins with a practical step: Cleanse the scalp using herbal-infused salt and vinegar to ward off parasites. Even today, vinegar rinses — especially with apple cider vinegar — are used as a home remedy for scalp issues like dandruff and eczema. Though vinegar definitely has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, the scientific evidence that it can combat a flaking scalp is thin. Advertisement 3 Many ancient remedies drew on plants and animals to treat human ailments. Esther Hildebrandt – Sea salt scalp scrubs, meanwhile, are on the shelves of stores like Sephora and Ulta. But for truly luscious locks, medieval healers didn't stop there — they recommended topping it off with a a salve of oils blended with the 'ashes of a burnt green lizard' to unlock the full benefits. Advertisement While the internet isn't shy about embracing DIY beauty trends, the jury is still out on whether scorched reptile will become the next viral hair mask. From detox potions to botanical balms, many of the era's health hacks wouldn't feel out of place on TikTok's For You Page. But not all would hold up by today's standards. Case in point: One labor and delivery remedy advised pregnant women to tie vulture feathers to their left leg to ensure a smoother birth. Even Goop hasn't gone that far — yet. 3 Some early healing methods share striking similarities with practices in modern alternative medicine. AFP via Getty Images The surprising insights come from the Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine, a digital collection compiled over the course of more than two years by Leja and her colleagues. This project has nearly doubled the number of known health manuscripts from before the 11th century. Many were found scribbled in the margins of unrelated books on topics like grammar, theology and poetry. 'It's true that we do lack a lot of sources for the period. In that sense, it is 'dark.' But not in terms of any kind of 'anti-science' attitudes,' Leja said. 'They were concerned about cures, they wanted to observe the natural world and jot down bits of information wherever they could in this period known as the 'Dark Ages,'' she added. Advertisement The collection continues to grow with new discoveries and translations added regularly. So, if you're curious to explore medieval wellness firsthand, the full catalogue is available online here. Bonus points if you can track down the 9th-century remedy for shrinking testicles.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dark Age detoxes sometimes resembled TikTok health trends
There are countless so-called wellness tips permeating platforms like TikTok on any given day. And while many are little better than pseudoscience, some treatments like acupuncture are based on legitimate medicinal practices dating back millennia. This mix of both good and bad health remedies is nothing new, but according to researchers compiling a growing database of centuries' old medical manuscripts, some of today's social media suggestions aren't that far off from prescriptions documented in the Dark Ages. But whether that's a positive or a negative sort of depends on how you view things. 'People were engaging with medicine on a much broader scale than had previously been thought,' Meg Leja, a Binghamton University medieval historian, said in a recent profile. 'They were concerned about cures, they wanted to observe the natural world and jot down bits of information wherever they could in this period known as the 'Dark Ages.'' Leja is also a contributor to the Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine (CEMLM), an international collaboration between universities to expand the known catalog of pre-11th century Latin medical manuscripts. Many of these old texts haven't been included in other digital collections. So far, their work has almost doubled the number of known Dark Age medical manuscripts. After reviewing the still-expanding library, researchers now believe that the era's remedies weren't always quite as dubious as you might think. Many books recommend topical ointments and detox cleanses made from ingredients like dried herbs and distilled alcohols. One book's headache cure, for example, suggests mixing crushed peach pit with rose oil before rubbing it onto your forehead. As strange as it sounds, one study from 2017 indicates rose oil may help with migraine pains. As expected, others don't hold up to present-day scrutiny. Contrary to one famous 9th century CE codex, vulture eyes wrapped in a fox pelt will not reduce your own eye pains. Neither will a pregnant woman's labor progress more quickly if you tie the bird's feathers to her left leg. Meanwhile, other treatments seem to straddle the line between valid and absurd. Another 9th century manuscript's suggestion for improving hair health starts sensibly enough— covering the head with herbal-infused salt and vinegar will help to disinfect the scalp of parasites. But to really make those locks extra luscious, it then recommends applying a salve of oils with the 'ashes of a burnt green lizard.' The main takeaway Leja's team stresses is that while the Dark Ages were 'dark' in the sense that a large number of sources have not survived the centuries, many of the era's experts were truly interested in researching real medical treatments. Leja even goes so far as to push back on the notion that people then were 'anti-science.' 'People in the early Middle Ages were quite into science, into observation, into figuring out the utility of different natural substances, and trying to identify patterns and make predictions,' she explained. Of course, rigorous research standards must be maintained to ensure ingredients like 'lizard ash' stay out of today's prescription shampoos. Meanwhile, a medieval doctor would be forgiven for thinking social media's ability to amplify bad science amounts to demonology. In any case, hearsay, like in the Dark Ages, shouldn't be taken at its word—be it in an ancient codex, or the latest hashtag.
News18
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Punjabi Hitmaker Jai Dhir And Yoki Drop Dreamy New Single ‘Velvet Sky'
Last Updated: Jai Dhir drops Velvet Sky with Yoki, a soulful Punjabi pop love song blending deep house and drill, capturing the magic of unspoken emotions. Punjabi pop sensation Jai Dhir has returned with his third original single of the year, Velvet Sky, in collaboration with producer Yoki. Following the success of previous tracks like Sidekick, Leja, and Mirza, Jai continues to expand his vibrant discography with a romantic offering that fuses dreamy melodies with contemporary beats. Velvet Sky is a soft yet energizing Punjabi pop love song that paints an atmospheric narrative of unspoken emotions. Jai Dhir, known for his emotive storytelling and fusion of Punjabi, R&B, and pop sounds, described the song as deeply personal. 'This song came straight from the heart. It is a dreamy love song about feeling a deep, unspoken connection with someone special, and captures the quiet emotions of admiring someone from a distance, like a late-night drive filled with unsaid feelings," he said. 'I just wanted to keep it real and dreamy—something that feels like you're floating in a feeling. The lyrics and melody just flowed, and it all felt too natural. It's one of those songs where every word means something. I hope people connect with the vibe as much as I did while creating it." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jai Dhir (@jaidhir) Adding a fresh sonic layer to Jai's vision, Yoki's production weaves deep house with punchy drill elements to create a lush soundscape. Speaking about the process, Yoki shared, 'I had a blast producing this one. I wanted to mix that chill deep house vibe with some punchy drill elements—something that hits but still lets the emotion breathe. It's got that balance of groove and mood, which I really love. The moment I recorded the raw vocals, I knew exactly where I wanted to take the sound. Super proud of how it turned out within two sessions." Since launching his career at 19, Jai Dhir has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young voices in India's indie music landscape. Hailing from New Delhi, the 24-year-old artist has carved out a niche with his genre-blending approach. From viral hits like Leja, featured in Netflix's Mismatched Season 2, to Mirza, which racked up over 200 million streams as part of Instagram's 1 Minute Music, Jai's catalogue is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. His collaboration with Pritam on the Punjabi version of Kesariya, officially released by Sony Music India, further solidified his rising star status. With Velvet Sky, Jai Dhir continues to enchant fans with music that is heartfelt and modern, rooted in emotion but elevated by global production styles. The track is now streaming on all major platforms and is already making waves for its lush vibe and poetic storytelling. As he continues to push boundaries and redefine the Punjabi pop genre, Jai Dhir's musical journey shows no signs of slowing down. If Velvet Sky is any indication, he's only getting started.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jai Dhir releases new single velvet sky
Popular Punjabi pop artist Jai Dhir has just dropped his latest single, "Velvet Sky," a collaboration with music producer Yoki. This marks Jai's third single this year, following "Sidekick," and further expands his diverse discography, which includes hits like "Leja" and "Mirza" with Lost Stories, "Piche Piche" with Jay Sean, and his original tracks such as "Akhiyaan," "Snap," and "Mafia. " "Velvet Sky" is a romantic Punjabi pop track that beautifully combines heartfelt melodies with an upbeat energy. It tells a tender love story through simple, poetic lyrics, creating a dreamy atmosphere that captivates listeners. The song also features a fresh, contemporary edge with its fusion of deep house and drill elements, making it both soothing and vibrant. Jai Dhir is known for his heartfelt storytelling and slick production, seamlessly blending Punjabi, R&B, and pop influences to create his unique sound. His emotive lyrics, soulful vocals, and boy-next-door charm have garnered him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim, solidifying his position as one of the most exciting young voices in the Punjabi music scene. Sharing his thoughts on this release, Jai said, 'This song came straight from the heart. It is a dreamy love song about feeling a deep, unspoken connection with someone special, and captures the quiet emotions of admiring someone from a distance, like a late-night drive filled with unsaid feelings. I just wanted to keep it real and dreamy - something that feels like you're floating in a feeling. The lyrics and melody just flowed, and it all felt too natural. It's one of those songs where every word means something. I hope people connect with the vibe as much as I did while creating it.'
