A look at Damiri’s Hayāt al-Hayawan as a resource of animal-derived medicinal substances

Background and Purpose:

Zoology is categorized as one of the sub-branches of natural sciences in the classification of sciences. Muslim scholars have written some works on this subject, based on different Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), interpretive, lexical and literary perspectives. In zoology texts, various kinds of scientific issues have been investigated. In fact, one of the scientific issues addressed by writers on zoology is the study of benefits and medical features of animal body parts. According to the historical background of pharmacology and medication, medicinal substances were derived from animals, plants and minerals. According to historical reports, a considerable bulk of efficient drugs was prepared from animal parts. Thus, a group of zoology texts are allocated to the actions and medicinal uses of animal-derived drugs. The book titled “Hayāt al-Hayawan” written by Kamal al-Din Damiri (808A.H) is one of the literary books is considered as one of the most detailed and important works in zoology.

The central focus of the present study, which is based on a descriptive approach, is the discovery of the status of animal-derived drugs through introducing and reviewing Damiri’s book “Hayāt al-Hayawan”.

The present study revealed that the central focus of the above-mentioned book, has been the presentation of actions and medical features of different kinds of animals both domestic and wild, and including birds, aquatic animals, and insects. Effectiveness of their inner tissues and organs as well as their outer parts has been discussed in the treatment of various diseases. The application of these drugs has been recommended through different methods (per oral, inhalation, etc.).

In traditional pharmacology of the Muslim world, animal-derived drugs have been one of the bases of medications prescribed in the treatment of diseases. Various scientific texts have described animal-based medicinal substances; “Hayāt al-Hayawan” written by Damiri in the field of zoology contains some valuable information regarding pharmacology and medications.