Used in Pharaonic medicine as a bandage for stiff limbs and as an eye compress.

'In traditional Islamic medicine the ashes of papyrus matting were applied to open wounds to dry them out, the ashes being also considered beneficial for sores of the mouth, and, mixed with vinegar, to treat nose-bleed.'

‘Papyrus grew in abundance along the River Nile in ancient times. The plant had multiple uses. The pith was peeled and arranged in sheets, two being beaten together to make writing material. The fibres were woven into sail and cloths and mats, or twisted into ropes, or plaited into sandals. Jar- stoppers and children’s balls of papyrus have been found. The mature stems were tied together and made into boats, or they were used as fire wood. The feathery flowers on their long stems were the ideal base for tall composite bouquets used to decorate temples and tombs, and the stalks were edible. Herodotus tells that the lower extremity of the plant about one cubit of it (about half a meter), was a delicacy particularly when first baked in a glowing hot vessel on the fire (II.92). Theophrastes adds that all the natives 'chew the papyrus raw, boiled or roasted; they swallow the juice and spit out the quid' (IV.8.4).' [A practise also mentioned by Dioscorides].

The Ebers papyrus, one of the oldest medicinal texts dated to about 1550 B C, is written on parchment made of papyrus.