NEW DATA ON THE CARBON ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION AND GENESIS OF MUMIE

Abstract

The history of using “mumie” (mountain oil or algarite) as a medical remedy in traditional eastern medicine is rooted deep in the ages. This legendary natural balsam, also called the life elixir, has been popular for many centuries in many countries, especially in India, China, Myanma, Vietnam, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. It was also widely known in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Transbaikalia, and the Caucasus. This exotic eastern medical remedy came to Russia and other European countries later. Hippocrates, Aristotle, Discurdius, Galen, Al-Biruni, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and others wrote about mumie and applied it in their practice.