Ancient Plant Silphion

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

A Mediterranean medicinal plant considered a cure-all that mysteriously vanished 2,000 years ago may still be around.

• A researcher from Istanbul University found a plant species in 2021 at three locations in Anatolia — modern-day Turkey — that resembled the ancient plant silphion.

Use of Silphion

• The resin of the silphion was extensively used as a spice, perfume, aphrodisiac, contraceptive and medicine. 
• It occupied an important place in the export economy of ancient Cyrene, an old Greek and later Roman colony near north-eastern Libya.

Use to cure health problems

• Silphion was used to treat various health problems, including goiter, sciatica (nerve pain), toothache, intestinal disorders, hormonal disorders, epilepsy, tetanus, polyps (abnormal growth of tissues) and malignant tumours.
• Its stalks were eaten as a vegetable, while the roots were consumed raw. 
• The plant was also used to preserve lentils.

Extinction

• Widespread deforestation and desertification made Cyrenaica (modern-day eastern Libya) may have led to Silphium’s disappearance.
• Overharvesting
• Human-induced environmental changes.

Environmental conditions:

• These plants may need cold and moist conditions for seed germination.
• This is because the plants related to Silphion, such as Ferula drudeana and Ferula asafoetida, also need similar environmental conditions for seeds to germinate
• An increase in temperature might have increased evaporation, leading to unfavourable conditions.