Asclepius was the Greek/Roman god of healing. Epione was his wife and assistant. They had many children but there are two daughters who are remembered for their healing abilities and were made Goddesses. They were Hygiena and Panaceia.

Hygiena was the Goddess of Health (hygiene) and Panaceia was the Goddess of remedies and herbal preparations that relieved pain or cured illness. She could be regarded as the Goddess of ancient apothecaries (panacea - cure all). Asclepius was portrayed on hundreds of Greek and Roman coins. The most famous cult center was the Greek city of Edidarius in Argolis. History records that the cities of Tritta (in Thessaly) and Epidarius were the earliest centers for Asclepius temples.

Priests and Priestesss' in the sanctuaries promoted healing by using herbal preparations, rest, diet, baths, exercises, massage and sacred cultic animals, such as snakes. They also interpreted dreams in order to diagnose illnesses and prescribe proper medicines. Modern psychiatrics has it origins in these Asclepian Dream Techniques.

The goddess Hygiena is almost as famous as her father. She later was adapted by the Roman and was called Salus, Goddess of good health. Salus rings, with pentagrams on them, were given as gifts to officials and family members for wishes of good health and prosperity. Coins with pentagrams were Salus coins symbolizing the good health of the nation. Salus herself is often pictured on coins as feeding a snake. Her official position in myth was as the guardian of Sacred Snakes, used in the temples of Asclepius. Apparently, trained snakes licked the wounds of people to heal them. This is not so far off, as research claims dogs licking wounds are cleansing and curing them, Also, the venom was collected and used in many medicines. There was also a psychological healing used. If a snake approached a person in the temple, it was an omen that the illness would be cured.