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The Book of Simple Drugs and Food by Al-Baitar – 13th Century
by Meam Wye
The 'Kitab al-Jami fi al-Adwiya al-Mufrada' (The Book of Simple Drugs and Food) is considered as of the largest botanical and pharmaceutical encyclopedia that was written by Ibn al-Baitar in the 13th century.
Ibn al-Baytar's (1188 - 1248) full name was 'Abu Muhammad Abdallah Ibn Ahmad Ibn al-Baitar Dhiya al-Din al-Malaqi' and he was born in Muslim Spain in the city of Malaga. He was the student of the famous Muslim botanist Al-Nabati (author of 'Kitab Al-Rihla' - a book on botany that is now lost but known through the works of Al-Baytar). Al-Baytar left Spain in 1219 to study and research the varieties of plants found in different regions. He traveled a lot and visited many places including Anatolia, Bugia, Constantinople, Tunis, Tripoli, Barqa, Adalia, Palestine, Syria and Arabia.
Kitab al-Jami lists plants, drugs and foods in alphabetical order, giving detailed descriptions, properties, therapeutic values, medicinal uses and synonyms. The book contains 2324 paragraphs and 3000 terms.
Kitab al-Jami was translated in Latin in 1758 and was considered one of the authority books on botany and Pharmacology until the early 19th century.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ibn_al-Baytar.jpg]
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November 16, 2009 4:31 PM
Very informative, Meam. I always enjoy reading these.
November 17, 2009 7:28 PM
3000 terms! That is a lot!
I have to say I love the sculpture too, it is a restful piece of I am sure was a very thoughtful man (Who developed 3000 terms - totally amazing.)
Great article, Meam.
November 18, 2009 10:57 AM
Meam, MashaAllah you are doing a good job.
November 18, 2009 7:08 PM
@George Polley: Thank you!
November 18, 2009 7:09 PM
@Ciss B: I guess his sculpture is what we might call 'hard-earned' ;) Thank you.
November 18, 2009 7:11 PM
@Ibn Hanif: Thanks :)
November 19, 2009 8:03 PM
Very interesting post. It's a good thing to learn something new, and you never fail to teach.
November 23, 2009 4:40 AM
I'm also in the process of learning and sharing whatever I learn :)
November 23, 2009 4:59 AM
Meam, I wanted to place a link of your site at my blog.
Infact, I have not ever seen so informative history blog like yours and I wish my readers also take benefit from your blog.
Do you allow me ?
November 23, 2009 7:11 AM
This will be an honor for me. Thank you so much!
November 23, 2009 7:58 PM
very good sharing meam, tk care.
November 23, 2009 8:00 PM
very informative blog.