Abstract

Physician Nidāʾī from Ankara was a prominent doctor of the sixteenth century. He was also a talented poet skilled in all the intricacies of Dīwān poetry and Islamic Turkish Literature. He included Arabic and Persian words and phrases, as was typical in his era. He wrote both literary and medical works. His medical writings include Rabiʿ al-Salāma, Manāfiʿ al-Nās, Vasiyyat-nāma, Tarjama-i Naẓm-i Loḳmān Ḥakīm, and al-Durr al-Manẓūm fī al-Ṭibb.

The current study aims to assess the 30th chapter of Manāfiʿ al-Nās, one of his well-known works, written in 1566. Two copies of Manāfiʿ al-Nās were examined: one in the Süleymaniye Manuscript Library in Istanbul, Nuruosmaniye Collection, No: 3556/2, and the other at the Istanbul University Rare Works Library, Turkish Manuscripts, TY 7111.

This chapter examines issues related to the urinary system, detailing symptoms and treatments for kidney and bladder stones, as well as covering urinary retention, incontinence, and penile problems. He recommends various herbal remedies for each condition.

This historical text reflects the prevailing paradigm of its time, which was often empirical or based on trial and error. Therefore, predicting the effectiveness of these herbal mixtures suggested by Nidāʾī is difficult because research on some of the herbs used in these blends is limited. The mechanisms and bioactive components that contribute to their effectiveness when combined are not well understood. Although these mixtures are believed to help with urinary system problems based on historical use, their actual effectiveness needs to be confirmed through thorough pharmacological studies.

Keywords: Nidāʾī, Manāfiʿ al-Nās, urinary tract problems