From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Mystery: The Untold Story of Women Healers
Throughout history, women have played a crucial role in the development and practice of medicine. From ancient priestesses to medieval midwives, and from Renaissance herbalists to modern physicians, women have been at the forefront of healing arts.
The story of women healers goes all the way back to ancient civilizations. In Egypt, priestesses of Isis were renowned for their medical knowledge. Greek mythology tells of Hygieia, daughter of the god of medicine Asclepius, whose symbol of a snake-entwined staff is still used in modern medical iconography. These early healers combined spiritual practices with practical medical knowledge, laying the foundation for centuries of women’s contributions to healthcare.
As we move into the medieval period, we see women taking on even more significant roles in community health. Convents became centers of medical knowledge, with nuns serving as some of the most educated healers of their time. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine abbess, wrote extensively on medicine and natural history, her works still studied today.
Outside the convents, women served as midwives, herbalists, and empirics — practitioners who relied on experience and observation rather than formal education. These wise women, as they were often called, were the primary source of medical care for many communities, especially in rural areas. They passed down their knowledge through oral tradition and practical apprenticeship, creating a rich tapestry of healing wisdom.
However, the late medieval period saw a shift in the status of women healers. The establishment of universities in the 12th and 13th centuries, from which women were excluded, began to formalize medical education. This led to a gradual pushout of women from official medical practice. Laws were passed in many European countries restricting medical practice to those with university degrees — degrees that women were not allowed to pursue.
This period of transition and conflict is referenced in my novel, “Decoded.” The novel’s protagonist, Amalia Rose, uncovers evidence of this lost tradition of women healers as she investigates the mysteries of the Voynich Manuscript. The manuscript, with its unidentified plants and cryptic text, serves as a metaphor for the suppressed knowledge of these medieval women healers.
The persecution of women healers reached its peak during the witch hunts of the 15th to 17th centuries. Many women with medical knowledge, particularly midwives and herbalists, were accused of witchcraft. Their understanding of herbal remedies and women’s health was often used as evidence against them. This dark period in history nearly eradicated the tradition of women healers in many areas.
Despite these obstacles, women continued to find ways to practice healing arts. They worked as unofficial community healers, midwives, and nurses, often serving those who couldn’t afford or access university-trained physicians. Their persistence ensured that the tradition of women healers, though diminished, was never entirely extinguished.
The Renaissance and Enlightenment periods saw a slow re-emergence of women in medicine. Figures like Trota of Salerno in Italy and Dorotea Bucca, who held a chair of medicine and philosophy at the University of Bologna, paved the way for future generations of women in medicine.
The 19th and 20th centuries marked a turning point. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849. Marie Curie’s groundbreaking work in radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes and opened doors for women in medical research. Virginia Apgar developed the Apgar score, still used today to assess the health of newborns.
Today, women make up a significant portion of medical students and practitioners in many countries. They continue to make vital contributions to all areas of medicine, from general practice to cutting-edge research. However, challenges remain, with issues of gender bias and inequality still present in the medical field.
This long and complex history of women healers forms the backdrop of “Decoded.” My novel draws parallels between the suppressed knowledge of ancient women healers and the modern-day mystery of the Voynich Manuscript. As the protagonist Amalia Rose delves deeper into the manuscript’s secrets, she uncovers potential connections to ancient medical practices, particularly those related to women’s health and herbal medicine.
The Voynich Manuscript, with its illustrations of unidentified plants and its indecipherable text, becomes a symbol of lost knowledge in the novel. Amalia’s investigation leads her to consider whether the manuscript could be a surviving record of the medical knowledge of ancient women healers, preserved in code to protect it from those who sought to suppress such wisdom.
“Decoded” weaves together historical fact and speculative fiction, creating a narrative that is both educational and thrilling. It brings to life the world of women, their struggles against increasing persecution, and the possibility that their knowledge, far from being lost, may have been hidden in plain sight for centuries.
For readers fascinated by women’s history and unsolved mysteries, “Decoded” offers a unique and compelling reading experience. It’s a novel that entertains and educates in equal measure, shining a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in all fields throughout history.
“Decoded” is available now at major bookstores and online retailers.
