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Molds growing on breads were already recognized for their potential medicinal value. This would become the forerunner of penicillin, which was not formally invented until 1933. However, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, and likely other societies recognized that molds could be used to heal wounds, where moldy bread could be rubbed on wounds to help with the healing process. Bread left to mold, therefore, also became part of medical applications used to clean wounds and infections.<ref>For more on penicillin mold and how it was used in the ancient world, see: Ballen, K. G. (2010). <i>Seven wonders of medicine.</i> Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, pg. 37.</ref>

The use of seeds, such as wheat or barley, to grow grains that would then become bread helped bread and life giving sustenance to be closely affiliated, most likely already by the Neolithic. The idea that a few seeds can create enough wheat or barley to create a lot of bread symbolized the importance of grains to society with that symbolism closely associated with bread.<ref>For more on the symbolism of bread, including in religion, see: Jacob, H. E. (2007). <i>Six thousand years of bread: its holy and unholy history.</i> New York: Skyhorse Pub.</ref>