TIL medieval Europe “mummy balm,” made from human fat, was applied to wounds and believed to have healing powers. It was often taken from executed criminals with the belief their violent deaths made it more potent. This persisted for centuries until medicine shifted toward evidence-based practices.

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/brief-history-medical-cannibal…
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https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1gjty1a/til_medieval_europe_mummy_balm_made_from_human/