ABU RAYHAN AL-BIRUNI’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF PHARMACY

Аннотация

This article explores the significant contributions of the great medieval polymath Abu Rayhan al-Biruni to the field of pharmacy. Special attention is given to his renowned work “Kitab al-Saydana fi al-Tibb”, which serves as a comprehensive pharmaceutical encyclopedia. The article analyzes al-Biruni’s approach to the classification of medicinal substances, their therapeutic properties, and his scientific methodology. Furthermore, the relevance of his legacy to modern pharmaceutical sciences is discussed. Keywords: Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Kitab al-Saydana, pharmacy, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, pharmaceutical history, natural remedies. Main Body 1. Overview of al-Biruni’s Scientific Contributions Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni (973–1048), born in Khwarazm, was one of the most prominent scholars of the Islamic Golden Age. He made groundbreaking contributions to a wide range of disciplines, including mathematics, astronomy, geography, history, medicine, and pharmacy. With over 150 works, his legacy spans both theoretical and practical sciences, and many of his writings were translated and studied in medieval Europe. 2. Kitab al-Saydana fi al-Tibb – A Pharmaceutical Encyclopedia One of al-Biruni’s most valuable contributions to pharmaceutical science is his book Kitab al-Saydana fi al-Tibb (“The Book of Pharmacy in Medicine”). This monumental work contains: Detailed descriptions of more than 800 medicinal substances; Выпуск журнала №-27 Часть–2_Июнь –2025 275 MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Information on their origin, physical properties, therapeutic effects, and modes of application; Multilingual terminology, listing names in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Syriac, Sanskrit, and others, demonstrating his linguistic expertise and respect for diverse medical traditions. The book combines theoretical insights with practical instructions, making it both a scientific treatise and a practitioner’s manual. 3. Scientific Approach and Pharmacological Classification Al-Biruni adopted a rational and systematic approach to classifying medicinal substances. He divided them according to: Source: plant-based (flowers, roots, leaves, seeds), mineral (salts, metals), and animal-based (fats, secretions, etc.); Properties: hot/cold, moist/dry – based on the four-element theory, akin to the works of Galen and Ibn Sina (Avicenna); Effects on the body: therapeutic actions, dosage, side effects. This methodology laid the foundation for later developments in pharmacognosy and pharmacodynamics. 4. Practical Guidance and Ethical Considerations In addition to detailing medicinal substances, al-Biruni addressed the ethical responsibilities of pharmacists. He discussed: Storage and preservation methods for drugs; Dosage accuracy and the dangers of misprescription; Professional ethics of druggists and the importance of hygiene in pharmaceutical practice. Such insights highlight his foresight in integrating ethics into pharmaceutical education. 5. Relevance of al-Biruni’s Work in the Modern Era Al-Biruni’s Kitab al-Saydana remains relevant today, especially in the fields of ethnopharmacology and traditional medicine. His meticulous documentation of herbal remedies and natural substances offers a valuable resource for: Выпуск журнала №-27 Часть–2_Июнь –2025 276 MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Developing new herbal-based pharmaceuticals; Conducting comparative studies in historical pharmacopeias; Validating traditional remedies through modern scientific methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the importance of traditional medicine, and al-Biruni’s work continues to be referenced in academic studies and research.