A Brief Introduction to Arabic Medicine

Since the ninth century, Arab physicians have played a transformative role in the development of medicine, refining the healing traditions inherited from ancient Mesopotamia and beyond. Over a millennium ago, Arab saydalīyāt (pharmacies) were stocked with camphor, cloves, myrrh, syrups, juleps and rosewater. Herbal remedies flourished across the Middle East, and ingredients such as basil, oregano, thyme, fennel, anise, liquorice, coriander, rosemary, nutmeg and cinnamon travelled through Arab hands to European tables. Arab doctors were pioneers in diagnosing and treating some of antiquity’s most devastating diseases, including the plague, as well as conditions that continue to afflict us today – from mental health disorders to psychosomatic illnesses. In this illuminating introduction, Ghada Karmi explores the remarkable achievements of Arab medicine and its enduring influence on medical practice around the world.