Although it was initially thought that the Egyptian recommendation had no scientific basis, new research suggests that the idea is not as far-fetched as it seems.
New research in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics suggests that ancient Egyptian doctors may have used human breast milk as a treatment for certain eye diseases. Researchers say the practice, which is recorded in one of ancient Egypt’s most famous medical manuscripts, may even have a biological basis.
The findings are from a study that examined the Ebers Papyrusan important medical text believed to have been written around 1550 BC The papyrus contains hundreds of remedies covering a wide range of illnesses. Among them, researchers identified four treatments that recommend applying human breast milk directly to the eyes.
According to the text, breast milk was used to treat various eye diseases, including what the papyrus describes as “blood in the eyes“, inflammation, vision problems and an unspecified form of blindness. The document specifically instructs that the milk must come from a woman who has given birth to a boy child.
Historically, Egyptologists interpreted this detail as symbolic or magical. The reference may be linked to Egyptian mythology, particularly to the goddess Isis, whose milk was considered capable of nourishing her son Horus and reviving her husband Osiris. Consequently, scholars often assumed that treatments reflected religious rituals rather than practical medicine.
However, the authors of the new study argue that the medicine may also have had genuine therapeutic value, writes the . Human breast milk contains a variety of biologically active compounds, including growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It is known that these molecules assist in tissue repair and healing.
Interestingly, similar compounds are present in modern treatments for severe dry eye syndrome (SOS), including special eye drops known as autologous serum tears, produced from the patient’s own blood. These treatments can be effective, but they are expensive.
Researchers suggest that breast milk could theoretically offer a cheaper alternativealthough this idea is still speculative. There have been no clinical trials testing the use of human milk for dry eye syndrome in adults.
Some early evidence points to potential benefits. Studies in mice have shown that human milk can accelerate corneal healinga after injuries, probably due to their growth factors. Additionally, applying colostrum, the first nutrient-rich milk produced after birth, to the eyes of premature babies has been associated with lower rates of conjunctivitis.
Despite these promising observations, scientists warn that more research is needed before any medical use can be recommended.
