Long before modern labs and test kits, ancient Egyptians had their own way of detecting pregnancy and surprisingly, it was fairly accurate for its time.
Women were asked to urinate on bags of wheat and barley seeds. If the seeds sprouted, it was believed the woman was pregnant. Some texts even suggested that the type of grain that sprouted first could predict the baby’s sex (wheat = girl, barley = boy).
Researchers tested this method in the 20th century and found it was about 70–85% accurate. This is because the high levels of estrogen in the urine of pregnant women can stimulate seed germination.
While now we have far more accurate tests, it’s fascinating how ancient civilizations combined observation and experimentation to include healthcare in that time.
What other ancient medical practices do you think might have a scientific basis we haven’t fully explored yet?
MBH/AB