Zakhireye Khwarazmshahi (Persian: ذخیرهٔ خوارزمشاهی, "Treasures dedicated to the king of Khwarazm") is a Persian medical encyclopedia written by the Persian[1] scholar Ismail Gorgani (1040-1136). It was composed between 1111 AD and 1136.
The Zakhira Khwarizmshahi was heavily influenced by the Canon (Qanun) of Avicenna and was modeled after that work.
The Encyclopedia consists of 10 volumes and is one the earliest Encyclopedias to be written in Persian. The Persian text of this large Encyclopedia was edited and published by Saidi Sirjani in 1976. The book illustrates traditional medicine that was used in the Islamic world for variety of pains and diseases.
For example, on "Drugs recommended for lice control," Gorgani recommends the following method:
| “ | A) Keeping oneself clean
B) Wearing Cotton and Silk Clothing C) Changing them Frequently D) Using anointments composed of the following drugs which work as desiccating agents: 1) Fruits of sumac with Olive Oil. 2) leaves and roots of Rumex 3) Alum (vitriol) with olive oil. 4) leaves of Melia azedarach. 5) leaves of pomegranate; 6) leaves of colocynth 7) leaves of myrtle 8) leaves of Thymus Serpyllum 9) leaves of flax [Linum Usitatissimum] 10) leaves of Acorus Calamus. 9) Leaves of flax [Linum Usitatissimum] 10) leaves of Acorus Calamus and finally 11) Cinnamon with olive oil, specially with the oil of Cathamus Tinctorius and oil radish. |
” |
Most of the above botanicals have recently been shown to possess insecticidal properties[1].