32. Ibn Al-Bytar
(593-646H/1197-1248AD)

Ibn al-Baytar was the greatest botanist and pharmacologist in Islam and of all the Middle Ages(192). He was the unique scientist in his time to specialize in botany.

His full name was Abu Muhammad Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Dhiya al-Din al-Andalusi al-Malaqi, known as Ibn al-Bytar, and surnamed the herbalist. He was born in Malaqa (Malaga), Andalusia, in 593 H/1197 AD(193). His father was a veterinarian. He learned botany from Abu

al-Abbas al-Nabati, known as Ibn Rumia. When he reached twenty years old, he traveled to many different countries, including Greece, Roman Europe, North Africa, and Sham (now Syria and Lebanon) and Egypt to search for medicinal herbs and see them and identify them. In Egypt, he entered in the service of the king al-Kamil al-Ayyubi who appointed him as chief herbalist. After the king’s death, he continued serving for his son al-Malik as-Salih Najm ed-Din who was residing in Damascus. From there, al-Bytar began studying plants in as-Sham, and Asia Minor in his capacity as a physician herbalist(194). He was the teacher of Ibn Abi Usaibia who accompanied him in his journeys and travels in search for plants.

Ibn al-Bytar earned fame for his many travels, which led him to numerous regions worldwide, seeking the profound study of herbs(195). He died in Damascus in 646 H/1248 AD.

Contributions in Botany and Pharmacology

Ibn al-Bytar described 1400 medicinal plants, 30 of which were never described before. He mentioned their names, uses and other alternative plants. He also discovered several other plants unknown before. He followed in his studies a scientific methodology based on empiricism, referencing, and sincerity and accuracy.

He was the first scientist to concern himself about studying harmful weeds, and classified them according to the crops they affect.

Besides his interest in plants, he was also concerned by the study of marine and land animals. He showed their benefits in curing diseases. He was thus one of the greatest zoologists.

Ibn al-Bytar was equally a prominent pharmacologist. Said Hassan says in his book “Islamic Sciences and Civilization”: “Ibn al-Baytar was one of the greatest Muslim scientists in botany and pharmacy. His wide reputation was unrivalled in the Middle Ages. He was undoubtedly the greater pharmacologist from Dioscorides up to Modern era.” Ibn al-Baytar did not limit himself to extract medicines from plants, but he also used animals and metals as sources of medicines(196).

Major Works

Ibn al-Bytar compiled many books, the most famous of which are :

-“Jamia Mufradat al-Adwya wa al-Aghdya” (Index of medicine and food terms). It was printed in 1291 H. It is an alphabetically organized compilation of simple medicines extracted from metals, plants and animals. Some of these medicines were taken from Greek and Arabic books, and the others were the result of the author’s own experience in this domain. It was translated into Latin and constituted a reference for the West until the European Renaissance. George Sarton says in his book: “Introduction to the History of Science”: “ Ibn al-Baytar organized this book following the alphabet order for easy use. He listed the names of medicines in all languages.” The Europeans relied on this book up until the European Renaissance(197).

- “Kitab al-Maghni fi al-Adwiya al-Mofrada” It’s a book about drugs, where the author dealt concisely with the treatment of diseases affecting every organ in order to maximize its profitability for doctors.