Can this medieval wellness guide teach us anything new?

Ibn Butlan was an 11th-century Arab Christian theologian from Baghdad. Among the many books he authored was Taqwīm aṣ‑Ṣiḥḥa ("Maintenance of Health"). Translated into Latin in the 14th century, this medical treatise, based on observations of medical order detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages, and clothing, became known as Tacuinum Sanitatis. It remains one of the most important manuscripts published during the Middle Ages.

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Taqwim al-sihhah -

Pictured is the opening page of Ibn Butlan's original Taqwim al-sihhah. The Arabic script is noted for its exquisite calligraphy.

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Commissioned in the 14th century -

Tacuinum Sanitatis, which portrays a utopian feudal society, was commissioned by northern Italian nobility during the last decades of the 14th century.

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Handbook on health -

Lavishly illustrated throughout, the Tacuinum is essentially a handbook on health. In translated versions, Ibn Butlan himself is seen in one illustration receiving two pupils (pictured).

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Medieval best-seller -

The Tacuinum was hugely popular in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. It's from the title that the word taccuino is derived, which in modern Italian means "notebook."

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Vivid scenes of rural life -

The tome depicts nobles in vivid scenes of the harvest of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and culinary and medicinal herbs.

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Drinking to their health -

In this illustration, the sale of decoction of barley is taking place.

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Reaping the benefits of a healthy lifestyle -

Rye is being harvested in this illustration. Rye, a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop, is famously still cultivated today.

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Referencing medieval medicine -

The publication quickly became essential reading for anyone interested in the medicinal qualities of herbs and vegetables. In fact, it remains an important reference in the study of medieval medicine. In this illustration, basil is being picked and collected.

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Describing medicinal qualities -

Each scene is accompanied by a brief summary of the health aspects of the subject, in this instance the herb dill.

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Describing the agricultural process -

Sage is seen being picked, for medicinal as well as herbal use.

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Medieval cooking techniques -

Besides serving as a reference for herbal medicine, the Tacuinum is also of interest in the study of agriculture and cooking.

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Association with human health -

In fact, Tacuinum Sanitatis is one of the first documents to connect fruits and vegetables with human health and well-being, similar to modern medicine. This page portrays the harvesting of figs.

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Rural scene -

In this image, a noblewoman picks up fallen pomegranate. In the tree above, two jays pick off the fruit, while on the ground a rabbit helps itself to leftovers.

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The good and bad in food -

The Tacuinum describes in detail the beneficial and harmful properties of foods and plants, such as cucumbers.

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Aromatic plants -

Medieval use of aromatic plants is well documented, as it is in the manuscripts. On this page, almond oil is being dispensed.

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Identifying superfoods -

This page illustrates a farmer in her orchard with a basket of spinach on her head.

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Natural trade commodity -

The Tacuinum illustrates the fact that, during Europe's Middle Ages, honey and wax became important commodities for trade. Beekeeping in skep, log, box, and tree hives flourished to meet the demand.

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Ocean harvest -

On occasion, the Tacuinum visits the coast to extol the virtues of fish and fish oil.

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Working the vineyard -

With its focus on Mediterranean agriculture, Tacuinum Sanitatis naturally includes references to the wine harvest. Here, red wine is being produced.

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Horticulture and health -

Tacuinum Sanitatis is designed to work as a practical handbook, its structure and content highlighting specific crops essential in maintaining overall health. Here, a farmer guides his horse through a field of spelt.

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A shared experience -

The sharing of chores in the field and in the home is conveyed throughout the publication, exemplified by this couple harvesting pumpkins.

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Elements for well-being -

Rather like a modern-day specialist health publication, the book's contents set forth the six essential elements for well-being. For example, sufficient food and drink (e.g. red wine, pictured) in moderation.

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Healthy practice -

Medieval regimens for a healthy lifestyle are central themes. On this page, a baker prepares loaves of bread for a masonry oven.

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Friendship and conversation -

The manuscripts, expressive in their rich detail, also convey the benefits of fresh air and an outdoor lifestyle. This pages denotes friendship and conversation.

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Leisure time -

The expression of well-being extends to illustrations picturing leisure time, such as these two women singing and dancing to the accompaniment of music.

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Rest easy -

The benefit of a good night's sleep is made apparent in this illustration. In fact, it depicts music as an aid in combating insomnia.

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The role music plays -

Singing and music play a central role in developing a healthy state of mind, a fact described in the manuscript.

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Local trade -

Away from the countryside, medieval life portrayed in the Tacuinum focuses on local trade and endeavor, a scene set by this busy fabric and tailor's shop.

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Community endeavor -

On this page, a merchant is selling candles and lanterns.

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The medieval health shop -

This wonderfully evocative illustration brings to life a 14th-century health shop, where raisins appear to be the foodstuff of choice.

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Where to admire Tacuinum Sanitatis -

Four complete manuscripts of the Tacuinum, all produced in Lombardy, survive in libraries and museums in Rome, Vienna, Liège, and Paris (at the Musée de Cluny, pictured).

Sources: (HortScience) (Facsimile Finder)

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What is Tacuinum Sanitatis? -

Public Domain

1 / 33 Fotos

Taqwim al-sihhah -

Pictured is the opening page of Ibn Butlan's original Taqwim al-sihhah. The Arabic script is noted for its exquisite calligraphy.

Getty Images

2 / 33 Fotos

Commissioned in the 14th century -

Tacuinum Sanitatis, which portrays a utopian feudal society, was commissioned by northern Italian nobility during the last decades of the 14th century.

Getty Images

3 / 33 Fotos

Handbook on health -

Lavishly illustrated throughout, the Tacuinum is essentially a handbook on health. In translated versions, Ibn Butlan himself is seen in one illustration receiving two pupils (pictured).

Getty Images

4 / 33 Fotos

Medieval best-seller -

The Tacuinum was hugely popular in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. It's from the title that the word taccuino is derived, which in modern Italian means "notebook."

Getty Images

5 / 33 Fotos

Vivid scenes of rural life -

The tome depicts nobles in vivid scenes of the harvest of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and culinary and medicinal herbs.

Getty Images

6 / 33 Fotos

Drinking to their health -

In this illustration, the sale of decoction of barley is taking place.

Getty Images

7 / 33 Fotos

Reaping the benefits of a healthy lifestyle -

Rye is being harvested in this illustration. Rye, a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop, is famously still cultivated today.

Getty Images

8 / 33 Fotos

Referencing medieval medicine -

Getty Images

9 / 33 Fotos

Describing medicinal qualities -

Each scene is accompanied by a brief summary of the health aspects of the subject, in this instance the herb dill.

Getty Images

10 / 33 Fotos

Describing the agricultural process -

Sage is seen being picked, for medicinal as well as herbal use.

Getty Images

11 / 33 Fotos

Medieval cooking techniques -

Besides serving as a reference for herbal medicine, the Tacuinum is also of interest in the study of agriculture and cooking.

Getty Images

12 / 33 Fotos

Association with human health -

In fact, Tacuinum Sanitatis is one of the first documents to connect fruits and vegetables with human health and well-being, similar to modern medicine. This page portrays the harvesting of figs.

Getty Images

13 / 33 Fotos

Rural scene -

In this image, a noblewoman picks up fallen pomegranate. In the tree above, two jays pick off the fruit, while on the ground a rabbit helps itself to leftovers.

Getty Images

14 / 33 Fotos

The good and bad in food -

The Tacuinum describes in detail the beneficial and harmful properties of foods and plants, such as cucumbers.

Getty Images

15 / 33 Fotos

Aromatic plants -

Medieval use of aromatic plants is well documented, as it is in the manuscripts. On this page, almond oil is being dispensed.

Getty Images

16 / 33 Fotos

Identifying superfoods -

This page illustrates a farmer in her orchard with a basket of spinach on her head.

Getty Images

17 / 33 Fotos

Natural trade commodity -

The Tacuinum illustrates the fact that, during Europe's Middle Ages, honey and wax became important commodities for trade. Beekeeping in skep, log, box, and tree hives flourished to meet the demand.

Getty Images

18 / 33 Fotos

Ocean harvest -

On occasion, the Tacuinum visits the coast to extol the virtues of fish and fish oil.

Getty Images

19 / 33 Fotos

Working the vineyard -

With its focus on Mediterranean agriculture, Tacuinum Sanitatis naturally includes references to the wine harvest. Here, red wine is being produced.

Getty Images

20 / 33 Fotos

Horticulture and health -

Getty Images

21 / 33 Fotos

A shared experience -

The sharing of chores in the field and in the home is conveyed throughout the publication, exemplified by this couple harvesting pumpkins.

Getty Images

22 / 33 Fotos

Elements for well-being -

Getty Images

23 / 33 Fotos

Healthy practice -

Medieval regimens for a healthy lifestyle are central themes. On this page, a baker prepares loaves of bread for a masonry oven.

Getty Images

24 / 33 Fotos

Friendship and conversation -

The manuscripts, expressive in their rich detail, also convey the benefits of fresh air and an outdoor lifestyle. This pages denotes friendship and conversation.

Getty Images

25 / 33 Fotos

Leisure time -

The expression of well-being extends to illustrations picturing leisure time, such as these two women singing and dancing to the accompaniment of music.

Getty Images

26 / 33 Fotos

Rest easy -

The benefit of a good night's sleep is made apparent in this illustration. In fact, it depicts music as an aid in combating insomnia.

Getty Images

27 / 33 Fotos

The role music plays -

Singing and music play a central role in developing a healthy state of mind, a fact described in the manuscript.

Getty Images

28 / 33 Fotos

Local trade -

Away from the countryside, medieval life portrayed in the Tacuinum focuses on local trade and endeavor, a scene set by this busy fabric and tailor's shop.

Getty Images

29 / 33 Fotos

Community endeavor -

On this page, a merchant is selling candles and lanterns.

Getty Images

30 / 33 Fotos

The medieval health shop -

This wonderfully evocative illustration brings to life a 14th-century health shop, where raisins appear to be the foodstuff of choice.

Getty Images

31 / 33 Fotos

Where to admire Tacuinum Sanitatis -

Four complete manuscripts of the Tacuinum, all produced in Lombardy, survive in libraries and museums in Rome, Vienna, Liège, and Paris (at the Musée de Cluny, pictured).

Sources: (HortScience) (Facsimile Finder)

Getty Images

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Can this medieval wellness guide teach us anything new?

Turning the pages of the Tacuinum Sanitatis

05/07/24 | StarsInsider

FOOD Middle ages

The Tacuinum Sanitatis is one of the most important manuscripts detailing medieval medicine and the association with human health. Translated into Latin in the 14th century from an earlier medical treatise compiled in Arabic, the Tacuinum serves as a beautifully illustrated guide to healthy living in the Middle Ages. Much of what was written 800-odd years ago is still applicable today, the book describing as its does the harvest of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and culinary and medicinal herbs and their role in promoting health and vitality. So, why is this sumptuous and informative book so significant to our well-being?

Click through and start turning the pages.