Buzz
Many of us meticulously inspect the labels on the products we use, searching for any unusual or questionable ingredients listed. Others, however, pay no attention and use these products regardless. Imagine your reaction if you found out that your food or skincare items contained elements derived from the human body.
You’d likely recoil in disgust. Surprisingly, this was a common practice centuries ago, when product labels didn’t exist. Many individuals unknowingly consumed food made from human remains, effectively turning them into unwitting cannibals. Others used everyday items containing human-derived components without ever realizing it.
Even today, new products incorporating human body parts and secretions continue to be developed. However, rest assured—modern regulations and labeling practices make it highly unlikely that you’ll consume such items without your knowledge.
10. Paint
Centuries ago, a unique pigment known as mummy brown was widely used. Referred to as mommia or momie, this brown paint was crafted by artists and derived from Egyptian mummies. The process involved grinding mummified remains into a fine powder and blending it with other materials to create the paint.
Emerging in the 16th century, mummy brown gained popularity among artists, who incorporated it into their works as a standard pigment. Surprisingly, some versions were made from any sufficiently mummified corpse. Notably, French painter Martin Drolling even utilized mummy brown derived from the remains of deceased French monarchs.
The demand for mummy brown dwindled in the 20th century as artists became aware of its origins. It ultimately vanished in 1964 when manufacturers could no longer source mummies to produce the pigment.
9. Medicine
Centuries ago, many Europeans unknowingly became cannibals by consuming remedies crafted from the bones, blood, and fats of both living and deceased individuals.
During that era, people believed these medicines could treat a variety of illnesses. Crushed skulls were turned into powder to address head-related issues, while Usnea, a moss found on buried skulls, was used to treat nosebleeds and epilepsy.
Human fat was applied topically to alleviate conditions like gout, and bandages were soaked in it before dressing wounds. Even Egyptian mummies were utilized, ground into powder to create a remedy believed to stop internal bleeding.
Even those without medical conditions used these treatments, driven by the mistaken belief that the vitality of the dead could transfer to them. King Charles II of England, for instance, consumed a concoction of powdered human skull and alcohol, known as “the king’s drops,” to preserve his health.
Fresh blood from living individuals was either mixed into cooked meals or consumed directly to maintain health. Many impoverished people, unable to afford blood from the living, often attended public executions with containers to collect blood from the executed.
The practice of using human body parts for medicinal purposes peaked between the 16th and 17th centuries, began to decline in the 18th century, and had vanished entirely by the 20th century.
8. Diamonds
In recent years, several companies have emerged, offering to transform the cremated remains of deceased loved ones and animals into diamonds—referred to as “memorial diamonds.” This is possible because diamonds are composed of carbon, the second most abundant element in the human body.
The process starts with cremation, which reduces the human body to several pounds of ashes. These ashes contain impurities, which are eliminated by treating them with acid.
At this stage, the carbon is 99% pure but still contains about 1% of other elements, such as boron. Boron is typically left in the mixture because its properties are nearly identical to carbon, making separation challenging. However, the presence of boron gives the diamond a blue hue—the more boron, the deeper the blue.
Interestingly, diamonds created from individuals who underwent chemotherapy tend to be lighter in color compared to those from individuals who did not. This is because chemotherapy often reduces the boron levels in the body.
7. Food
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are developing a method to transform human waste and urine into edible food. This innovation is designed for astronauts, particularly those embarking on extended space missions, such as journeys to Mars, rather than for everyday consumption.
The food is created through anaerobic digestion, a process where microbes decompose waste in the absence of oxygen. In this method, an initial group of microbes is introduced to poop and urine to generate methane, which is then consumed by a second group of microbes.
The end product is a nutrient-rich substance comprising 52% protein and 36% fats. This diet is safe from diseases, as the rapid activity of the microbes prevents the formation of harmful pathogens. The technology is still under development and has not yet been released.
6. Lampshade
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. While most residents returned to recover what remained of their homes, individuals like Raymond Henderson stumbled upon something unusual: a lampshade crafted from human skin.
Months after the hurricane, Henderson was examining a flood-damaged drum set at a yard sale. The seller mentioned having a lamp with a 25-centimeter-long (10 in) lampshade made from “Jewish skin.”
Initially doubtful, Henderson bought the lampshade for $35 and took it home for closer inspection. He confirmed it was genuine human skin, even observing the wrinkles and pores on the dried surface. Laboratory tests later verified its authenticity.
There are theories that the lampshade was created by the Nazis during World War II, though no conclusive evidence exists. The skin’s origin could not be determined, as the material was too dry to yield usable DNA samples.
5. Books
In the Harvard University library, a book titled Des Destinees de l’Ame (“Destinies of the Soul”) rests on the shelves. Its brown, dusty, and aged appearance might lead one to assume it’s an ordinary book—until they discover the cover is made of human skin. This practice, known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, was once widespread in ancient times.
Des Destinees de l’Ame was authored by Arsene Houssaye and gifted to Dr. Ludovic Bouland in the 1880s. Dr. Bouland later bound the book with skin from a deceased woman at a mental hospital.
Another example of anthropodermic bibliopegy is housed at the M Shed museum in Bristol, UK. The cover bears the inscription Cutis Vera Johannis Horwood (“The Actual Skin of John Horwood”) and is owned by the Bristol Record Office. The infamous pirate skull-and-crossbones symbol is also engraved on the cover.
As the title suggests, the book is crafted from the skin of John Horwood, who was executed at 18 for killing Eliza Balsum after becoming infatuated with her. Horwood struck Balsum with a stone, nearly shattering her skull. Although she initially survived, she later succumbed to her injuries.
Horwood faced trial and was executed for the crime of murder. His body was sent to anatomy schools for dissection, and his skeleton was eventually stored. Decades later, Mary Halliwell discovered and buried his remains, as Horwood was the brother of her great-great-great-grandfather. The book provides an in-depth account of the murder.
4. Hard-Boiled Eggs
In certain regions of China, there is a belief that eggs cooked in the urine of young boys possess healing qualities. These eggs, known as tong zi dan (“virgin boy eggs”), are a local specialty in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, where they are commonly sold by street vendors. Advocates assert that consuming these eggs can treat or prevent numerous health issues.
The preparation involves boiling ordinary chicken eggs in urine, a process completed in two stages. First, the eggs are boiled in urine, then cracked and returned to the pot for further boiling. This allows the urine to permeate the eggs, changing their appearance and flavor. While some enthusiasts praise their benefits, others find the concept unappealing.
Vendors collecting eggs frequently visit schools with containers for young students to fill with urine. These vendors later retrieve the containers to prepare the eggs. To maintain quality, they request that ill students refrain from contributing, ensuring only healthy urine is used in the process.
3. Fragrance
After losing her husband, Katia Apalategui’s mother found solace in the scent of his pillowcase, which she often smelled to feel close to him. Inspired by this, Katia decided to develop a perfume that could replicate the unique scent of a deceased loved one.
Collaborating with chemist Geraldine Savary from the University of Le Havre in France, Apalategui devised a technique to extract scents from the belongings of the deceased and transform them into a perfume. Her custom-made fragrances are now available for purchase, priced at $600 per bottle.
2. Building Blocks
In 2018, researchers in South Africa announced a groundbreaking method to produce bricks using human urine. While the technique can theoretically create various solid materials, the focus has been on brick production.
The bricks are crafted using a combination of bacteria, sand, urine, and calcium. The process begins by introducing bacteria into sand to produce an enzyme known as urease. This enzyme is then mixed with urine, breaking down the urea and forming a solid material called calcium carbonate.
The resulting calcium carbonate serves as the base material for bricks or other desired products. Additionally, the process yields fertilizer as a by-product, which aligns with the global use of urea in fertilizer production.
Urine-based bricks are not yet commercially available, as researchers are refining the process. Another challenge is sourcing sufficient urine, as producing a single brick requires about 20 liters (5 gallons) of urine, which takes an average adult several weeks to produce.
1. Beauty and Skincare Products
In 2005, The Guardian uncovered a shocking revelation about a Chinese cosmetics firm that allegedly used the skin of executed prisoners in its beauty products. The company intended to export these items to Europe, targeting unaware consumers.
The Guardian reported that the company had pitched a new anti-aging product to potential partners, claiming it was made from the skin of executed prisoners and could effectively reduce wrinkles on the face and lips. The publication also noted that some of these products had already reached the UK by the time the story broke.
A company representative, who initially boasted about the product's unique formulation, later denied the claims when approached by The Guardian for an interview. This individual had previously disclosed details about the product to an undercover investigator posing as a businessperson.
The Guardian further highlighted that the use of skin from executed prisoners in beauty products is not uncommon in China. While the Chinese government is reportedly aware of this practice, it turns a blind eye as long as the companies involved maintain discretion. Concerns have been raised about the potential health risks, including infections, for European consumers exposed to these products.
