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Ibn Sina known in the West as Avicenna (980 – 1037), was a Persian polymath one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers. Avicenna was born c. 980 in Afshana, a village near Bukhara. He died in 1037, and was buried in Hamadan, Iran. His most famous works are The Book of Healing, a philosophical and scientific encyclopedia, and The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanun fi't-Tibb), a medical encyclopedia which became a standard medical text at many medieval universities and remained in use up to the 18th century. In it are mentioned several medical plants from East Africa.
Al-Qānūn Fi'l-ṭibb: General principles of medicine in four parts, Avicenna, Deptt. [sic] of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard,
Tall Trees, Huge Animals: Ibn Abī l-Ash‘ath and Marwazī on the Most Equitable Clime by Remke Kruk
Full name: Abu Ali al-Hussein Ibn Sina, known in the west as Avicenna.
Vol1 p21
When the species are considered, the one that really is closest to equilibrium is man, and when the different kinds (asnaf) are considered, then the right opinion in our view is that, when there is habitation (imara) in the places parallel to the equator, and nothing contrary occurs because of earth-related causes, such as mountains and seas, then it is necessarily that its inhabitants are the closest of the different kinds (asnaf) to real equilibrium.
All their conditions are excellent, and the air is not perceptibly contrarious to them, but their constitution is always harmonious.
Vol1 p127
Section XI: ... On the influence of the environment
... The hot regions (masakin) cause curly hair and weaken the digestion. If residence there is prolonged too much and the softness of the body decreases, the inhabitants grow old quickly, as is noticed among the Ḥabasha. In fact, these people [in their country] become old at the age of thirty, their hearts are fearful because of failing spirit. The hot countries also make the bodies of their inhabitants weak.
Vol1 p160
After this it must be kept in view that countries and climates also affect the hair. Thus one should not expect to :find yellow red hair in Zanj in order to infer from it the equability of their particular temperament. Similarly, one should not expect to: find black hair in Slavs in order to infer from it the dryness of their particular temperament.
Vol1 p370
Abnus (Ebony)
Nature: Ebony is well known. It is a wood of a tree obtained from Zanj. According to Dioscorides (1) it is obtained from Habasha. It is jet-black, has no layers, and when a hand is passed over it, it gives the feeling as if the hand is being passed over a perfect hem. It is said that ebony is conical. When crushed, it breaks into coarse particles which irritate the tongue.
Choice: The best ebony is black, straight, without lines, gives the feeling of a conical horn when hand is passed over it. It is thickened irritating in taste and gives a pleasant smell when put on burning coal. Temperament: It is hot and dry in second degree. Some people presume that by its intrinsic heat, it reduces the heat of the blood. Actions and properties: When rubbed with water in the manner most stones are rubbed, it becomes attenuate and detergent.
Ocular organs: Ebony acts as a detergent in cases where membrane covers the eye and opacity of the cornea. A suppository is made of its powder. It is used as a whet stone to prepare medicines for the eyes since it is very suitable for this purpose. Its powder, when burnt on a hot plate and then washed, is very useful in chronic ulcers of the eye and trachoma.
Excretory organs: Some physicians hold the view that ebony dissolves the kidney-stone and removes flatulence of the abdomen.
Vol1 p414
Bandsfan
Nature: It acts as substitute for kasht barkasht (Screw tree). It is a kind of wood of which the Zanj make bracelets. Its temperature is above average.
Vol1 p510
Properties: Belladonna roots are anaesthetizing. A kind of exudation comes out of these roots. Its extract is considered stronger than its exudation.
Its oral intake in a dose of 2.5 gm with wine is given to patients who are to undergo amputation of any part of the body as it would induce them to sleep. It is said that if the ivory is decocted with the roots of belladonna for six hours, it would become flexible and manageable. Cosmetics: Rubbing of the fresh leaves for one week, removes the freckles without causing any ulceration. The latex of belladonna helps to remove freckles and reddish spots without untoward effects like irritation.
Vol1 p614
And the best timber of the al-Samandouri (2) from Sofala and surrounding countries and from the country of China and the country of Hind and Qamar, (3) and Sofala of Hind.
Vol1 p626
Faghira (Split cubeb)
Nature: Spilt cubeb is similar to chick pea. Its seeds are like wild cherry. It contains black seeds resembling hemp seed. It is brought from safala i.e. the land of Zanj.
Temperament: It is hot and dry in the third degree. Properties: It is dissolving and astringent.
Food: It is incorporated in medicines prepared for improving 'cold' stomach and liver. It is useful in cases of indigestion caused by coldness.
Excretion: It is also useful in cold diarrhoea and causes constipation.
Vol1 p637
Nature: Beer is a well-known substance occasionally used as a drug. Choice: Good quality beer is prepared from white bread, mint and celery The beer prepared from cooked bread is not considered as good as that from the bread prepared by kneading the unleavened flour. Properties: Beer is flatulent. It produces inferior humour and poor nourishment. It is harmful to animal organs to such an extent that when a piece of ivory is soaked therein, it becomes so soft as to be moulded easily. The beer, made from white bread, celery and mint, produces good chime and it is very suitable for hot-tempered people. Joints: It is very harmful to the nerves. Head: It is also harmful to meninges. Food: The beer, made from white bread, is good for the hot stomach. Excretion: Barley bear is diuretic and harmful to kidneys and bladder.
Vol1 p718
Khairboa. What: Young like
al-qaqila; brought from Sofala when still small. Nature: hot dry in the third class. Characteristics: its strength is the strength of the cloves and the softness of the camel.
Vol 2 p22
Dar Sini (Ceylon Cinnomon)….. About the Chinese variety , a variety is called a false Chinese, and it has an odor, which is rough and its strength is weak, and from that it is called zanjia (Negress), and it has a resemblance to the Chinese one in appearance.
Vol2 p193
Peel pomegranates, as well as al-ziyr from Zinj or Habashi and nurse the child. The third article is to separate the lice in the eyelids…..
Vol3 p172
The garlic medicine is very good or is taken from the ……We have tried to take the pulp of cotton, Jawz of Zunj (4) and Qamar (3)(Nut of Zinj), cooked cabbage, cooked mustard, and this on a bandage…..
Vol3 p339
The Zendj and the Habacha lose their hair only very late in life, the skin of their head is hard, and makes it difficult for hair to grow, so there are only few. But they also remain there with much energy, that is why the baldness arrives late with the Zendjs and the Habacha.
Taken from: Libri V. canonis medicinae Abu Ali principis filii Sinae, alias corrupt. Avicennae: quibus additi sunt in fine physicae et metaphysicae Arabice nunc primum impressi.
Vol5 p153
Juz Hindiun (Coconut)
Coconut, which is nargile, brought from Zinj. Good, soft, very white, fresh water that is in it, and if there is no water in it, delicate, and if there is no water in it, it indicates that it is old, and the peel of its pulp must be taken from it. Hot at the beginning of the second, dry in the first, and in it there is no significant moisture, but wet in it, wet in the first ……
Urjuza fi’I-tibb (Poem on Medicine)
Until their skins are covered all over with black
The Slavs acquire whiteness
Until their skins turn soft.
Kitab al-Sifa (The Book of Healing)(1020)
Al Madkhal: (On Logic) Introduction of al-Sifa
Taken from: alwaraq.net
…such as black, which separates the Zanjy from another human being; the black never leaves him, and that will prevail, so we do not have further separation in black; Where there is the division with the special Alhabsy, it is not regarded as real separation.
Kitab al-ilahiyat (Metaphysics) part of al-Sifa
Taken from: Philosophers on Race: Critical Essays edited by Julie K. Ward, Tommy L. Lott
……since the service of some people by others is inescapable, it is necessary that such people be compelled to serve the just city……………. some people are naturally far from acquiring virtues; for they are slaves (abid) by nature like the Turks and the Negro (az-Zanj) and those who generally speaking have not grown up in noble climates (al-aqalim al-sharifah) where conditions are for the most part such that the peoples growing up in them are balanced of temperament and sound of disposition and intellect.
(1) Dioscorides:(40–90 AD) was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of de Materia Medica.
(2) al-Samandouri: kind of Sandalwood.
(3) Qamar: Khmer (Cambodia) or Madagascar.
(4) also mentioned by: Abu l-Khayr 1200; Ibn Sina 1037; Ibn Al-Baytar 1249; Al Ghafiqi 1165