How did Arab medicine change health care?

Medical innovations in the Arab world that have changed care practices over the centuries

When we think of the development of medicine, our eyes often turn to modern Europe. But the deeper and richer story goes back to the Arab-Islamic civilization, which for centuries was a beacon of science and knowledge, especially in the field of medicine.
From Baghdad to Andalusia, Arab doctors and scientists left a mark on global medical practice that is still present today.


House of Wisdom: Where the golden age of medicine began

In the ninth century AD, Caliph al-Ma'mun established the House of Wisdomin Baghdad, a center for the translation and dissemination of science from various civilizations, especially Greek, Persian and Indian.
But Arab doctors did not limit themselves to translation, but added innovative research and experiments, making them the pioneers of medicine in their time.


Al-Razi: Founder of Experimental Medicine

Abu Bakr al-Razi (865-925 AD) is considered one of the greatest doctors in history.
He invented the method of clinical trial, where he compared treatment methods to choose the most beneficial for the patient, which is what we consider today to be the basis of evidence-based medicine.

Some of his most famous achievements:


Avicenna: The Prince of Doctors and Philosopher of Health

Avicenna (980-1037 AD), or Avicenne as he was known in the West, was Europe's primary authority on medicine until the 17th century.
This book combined anatomy, pharmacology, psychology, and the treatment of diseases, making it a complete medical encyclopedia.

of Avicenna's advanced ideas:


Al-Zahrawi: The Father of Modern Surgery

In Andalusia, Al-Zahrawi (936-1013 AD), known in the West as Albucasis.
He wrote his encyclopedia Al-Tasrif for those who cannot write,which contains more than 200 surgical instruments that he designed himself.

from his creations:


Pharmacy: A science that flourished at the hands of the Arabs

The Arabs not only innovated in medicine, but also established pharmacology as an independent branch.
In Baghdad, the world's first pharmacies existed, where medicines were prepared and sold according to precise recipes.

Famous pharmacists like Ibn al-Bitar wrote encyclopedias containing hundreds of herbs and plant remedies, many of which are still used today, such as:


Hospitals: Innovation ahead of its time

Did you know that public hospitals as we know them today have their roots in the bimarastans of the Islamic world?
In cities like Damascus, Cairoand Baghdad, hospitals were established to provide free treatment, with separate departments for different diseases, as well as medical schools to train new doctors.
Patients were given a certificate of recovery upon discharge, an early form of the medical records we rely on today.


The legacy that lives on

Arab medicine was not just a passing phase; it established scientific principles that are still in place:

Today, the world is turning its attention back to some of the natural remediesand health principles developed by Arab doctors, especially with the rise in interest in alternative and integrative medicine.


A civilization to be proud of

When we look at the history of medicine, we find that the Arab world was not just a carrier of knowledge, but a source of medical radiation that changed the face of health care forever.
From Al-Zahrawi's tools to Avicenna's concepts, from Baghdadi hospitals to Andalusian pharmacies... all these achievements formed the first building blocks of modern medicine.

In an era of renewed health solutions, it can be helpful to look back to our heritage, explore it, and be inspired by it to enhance our health care today.

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