Ancient Egyptians and Riboflavin: Early Insights into the Vitamin of Light

AJX Diop
Aug 21
5 min read

Searching for Ancient Wisdom: Did Egyptians Know Riboflavin?

Step back in time along the banks of the Nile, where the rhythm of daily life pulsed through bustling markets and the golden sun beat down on flourishing crops. Story after story paints ancient Egypt as a civilization ahead of its time. Hieroglyphics, pyramids, the first medical texts—truly remarkable! But did their wisdom extend to what we now call riboflavin, or vitamin B2—the essential "vitamin of light"?

Turns out, there’s a bit of myth and mystery here. While modern scientist or a google search would tell us that the Egyptians did not know of the vitamin riboflavin, the ancient Egyptian Medical text aka Ebers Papyrus suggest they did know about it. The Egyptian were wholistic thinkers and always referred to food as medicine.

Being wholistic in their thought process made it almost impossible for the ancient Egyptians to separate the vitamin from the food. So while the term riboflavin was never mentioned in the Egyptian Medical Papyrus, it is clear that they consumed riboflavin dating back to 1550 BCE.

The Egyptians Medical Papyrus had over 700 remedies and prescriptions. Remedies for eye diseases were animal liver which is rich in riboflavin. Other riboflavin rich foods were cows, goats, sheep milk, butter, cheese, ducks, geese, cattle, fish, lettuce, leeks, onions, garlic, lentils, chickpeas, lava beans, animal organs, to name a few.,

These are facts known from archaeology, tomb paintings, and medical papyri like the so called Ebers Papyrus and Kahun Papyrus. So while, the modern world wouldn’t discover this vital nutrient for thousands of years, the Egyptians possessed a wholistic knowledge for herbal remedies that was in harmony with nature, dare we say God. The Egyptian way of understanding food as medicine, in many ways, exposes modern mis-understanding of medicine being something separate from food.

We would say modern science is being disingenuous when they claim Riboflavin was discovered in the late 19th century. They shine the light on German biochemist Richard Khun, Alexander Blyth, and others who have separated food and medicine (modern scientist). Perhaps this was the only way they could comprehend it.

Even so, it does great justice to those who decoded the Egyptian Medical Papyrus and it dismisses the authors of the original text from which they learned. They were so dismissive of the original authors that the Egyptian Medical Papyrus was first named after Edwin Smith who purchased it in 1862 and then he sold it in 1872 to Georg Ebers and hense they call it Ebers Papyrus.

This is the fame of mind or perspective of the modern scientist who has programmed google and other artificial intelligence to tell us the Egyptians did not know of a herb they absolutely prescribed via food 3000 years prior to said scientist existence.

Lighting the Way: The Real Story behind Riboflavin's Discovery

Fast-forward to the late 1800s, well after the age of pharaohs: Alexander Wynter Blyth, a British chemist, peered curiously into a flask of cow’s milk whey and spotted an unusual, fluorescent yellow-green glow. He called it "lactochrome," and wouldn’t you know—it was riboflavin! By the 1930s, scientists isolated and named this water-soluble vitamin, derived from “ribose” and “flavin” (Latin flavus, meaning yellow).

So, while the ancient Egyptians didn’t identify riboflavin by name, its legacy as a life-giving nutrient—crucial for energy production, cellular growth, and radiant health—spans from royal courts to modern wellness shelves.

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Ancient Remedies: Egyptian Wisdom Meets Modern Nutrition

Here's where things get interesting. The Egyptians were legendary for treating night blindness (a condition linked to vitamin A deficiency) by feeding affected individuals with liver—a nutrient-packed organ meat rich in vitamin A and riboflavin. No microscopes, no scientific journals, just years of trial, error, and empirical discovery.

While this historic remedy was about vitamin A, it does show the Egyptians’ deep connection to the healing power of food—a value we cherish at Sankofa Wellness Store. Our ancestors’ wisdom continues to inform how we nourish, heal, and thrive.

Riboflavin: The Modern “Vitamin of Light”

Why the poetic nickname? Riboflavin’s unique yellow color and its ability to fluoresce under UV light inspired scientists. Today, we know riboflavin supports:

Healthy energy metabolism
Cellular function and growth
Robust skin, eyes, and nervous system

Deficiency? It can lead to cracked lips, sore throats, rashes—a lack of that internal “glow.” Riboflavin-rich foods include eggs, nuts, leafy greens, meats, and dairy.

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The Story Continues: From Ancient Foods to Current Wellness Advances

While riboflavin as a concept eluded ancient Egypt, plant-based nutrition did not. Crops like beans, grains, onions, garlic, and even mysterious molokhia—still savored in Egyptian cuisine—are loaded with B vitamins. These ancestral foods remain staples for anyone seeking natural sources of essential nutrients.

In today’s fast-paced world, we sometimes lose sight of this intuitive food wisdom. That’s why we’re passionate about connecting the dots between ancient healing and modern science—supporting you with products as time-honored as organic raw honey, inflammation-busting bay leaves, and time-tested hemp solutions.

Wellness, CBD, and a Touch of Controversy: The New Frontier

It’s ironic that while humanity’s earliest civilizations relied on natural remedies—and often thrived—today’s conversations around botanicals can get heated, especially when it comes to CBD, THC, and the wider cannabis landscape.

Did you know? Modern regulations on cannabinoids like CBD, THC, THCV, and CBN--the very compounds that many turn to for chronic pain, anxiety, or sleep--can depend on state or even city laws. Just as ancient Egyptians needed to discern which plants healed or harmed, today we face a labyrinth of CBD laws and restrictions. Some regions promote access for wellness; others demand strict prescriptions or outright bans. It’s a global conversation—sometimes fueled by science, sometimes by fear.

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Tracing the Path from Then to Now

Our ancestors gazed at the stars, mixed powders and potions, and trusted both tradition and nature as guides to good health. Today, we have the privilege of blending those traditions with scientific knowledge. We know exactly what riboflavin does in our bodies. We can test, measure, and supplement as needed.

Just as the Egyptians once leaned into the wisdom of their environment, you can harness ancient healing energy—with the backing of modern science—via solutions like CBD tinctures, cactus herbal blends, and aromatic palo santo.

Keep the Ancient Flame Alive

No, the Egyptians didn’t know about riboflavin—but they embraced the spirit of discovery, adaptation, and reverence for life-sustaining foods. Their story reminds us to trust both our instincts and innovation, to seek the glowing thread that connects us across centuries.

Bring that wisdom home. Explore all that ancient tradition and modern wellness have to offer by visiting Sankofa Wellness Store and browse our full product catalog and blog collection.

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Experience the healing power of tradition, with the science of today—always at Sankofa.