Periods are necessary

Though much of the formal medical and spiritual establishment viewed menstruation as a negative thing in medieval Europe, female herbalists and physicians saw it as a positive phenomenon.

The Trotula texts were written in the 12th Century CE in the Italian port of Salerno. The ancient city was a centre of learning where Arabic medicine was introduced to Europe. 

The texts drew heavily on Arabic theory and practice, and were authored at least in part by Trota of Salerno, a female physician and healer. 

The first volume of the text, called “The Book on the Conditions of Women”, depicts the positive sides of menstruation:  

“...the common people call the menses “the flowers”, because just as trees do not bring forth fruit without flowers, so women without their flowers are cheated of their ability to conceive“

(IMAGE CAPTION) Trotula of Salerno holding a urine flask, Miscellanea medica XVII, 14th century, Image: Wellcome Library