Badyaga
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Badyaga (Spongilla fluviatilis) is a freshwater sponge belonging to the siliceous sponges, found in ponds, rivers, and swamps. In traditional medicine, its skeleton of silica needles is used in ointments for rheumatism, and sometimes improperly as facial rouge.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BADYAGA, Spongilla fluviatilis Lieberkühn (family Spongillidae), a freshwater sponge. It belongs to the siliceous sponges; it is found in ponds, rivers, and swamps. In a dry state, it is a grayish, brittle mass. Under the microscope, needles of silica are visible, forming the skeleton of the sponge. It is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for rheumatism, in the form of an ointment for rubbing; women sometimes use badyaga as a blush, which leads to damage to the facial skin.
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“Badyaga.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/badyaga/