How was sphagnum moss used in ancient times?

Sphagnum moss has no rhizoids and absorbs moisture with the help of dead leaf cells. It is on this feature that the use of this moss in folk medicine is based.

Sphagnum was dried and, if necessary, applied to a purulent wound. Dry moss absorbed purulent fluid, that is, it dries up the wound. In addition, the antibiotic sphagnol contained in his cells did not allow bacteria to multiply again in the wound. Sphagnum saved many lives not only in antiquity, but also the partisans of the Great Patriotic War.