Helwan, Egypt; women carrying sweet clover

Helwan, Egypt, south of Cairo; rural life. Women carrying harvested sweet clover (melilotus species, called barsim by Egyptians) for cattle fodder. Yellow sweet clover (Melotus officinalis) was used in ancient Egyptian medicine. A prescription from a Christian Coptic (CE 395-640) medical papyrus includes melilot to treat sick testicles: 'melilot, rose, 'bride's wreath'; grind it, let the patient drink it with wine. With the help of God he will recover.'