The ancient city of Cyrene in what is now Libya was a prosperous Greek, and later Roman, center of culture and commerce. One of its most important exports was the medicinal plant known as silphium. Silphium was highly prized throughout the ancient world for its use as a perfume, in seasoning, in medicine and as an aphrodisiac and contraceptive. It was said to be worth its weight in gold and it was depicted on ancient coins. It was only found in the region of Cyrene, however, and it was so much in demand that in the end it became extinct due to its excessive harvesting. There has been some debate as to its true identity but some speculate that it was a member of the genus Ferula and a recent report suggests that perhaps it is not completely extinct after all.

silphium coin (Mahmut Miski)

Mahmut Miski, a professor at Istanbul University, may now have rediscovered the plant at a site in Turkey. Identified as a new species, Ferula drudeana, analysis of extracts from the plant has identified compounds which have cancer-fighting, contraceptive, and anti-inflammatory properties. Even if it proves not to be the same as the ancient silphium, it promises to be a valuable addition to the arsenal of medicinal plants.

There is an excellent account of the story of silphium and Miski’s work in National Geographic.

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