The Atlas Apothecary Sourcebook
a treasure chest of writing on plant crafts, the natural world and the sacred
General Information
A great long-living tree, coming in two types, wild and cultivated. The cultivated tree is much bigger, and its fruit is bigger than the wild fruit but they are both well known. The wild tree is known as ‘zabuj’ and the oil that is made from it is said to be the greatest of all oils and herbs, and for whoever presses its oil, it should bring good fortune.
Continue reading “Olive: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”General Information
Wild and cultivated coming in many varieties, the cultivated is artichoke, and under the wild variety there is the cardoon, which is well-known cooked with meat and both the stems and the heads of the plant are eaten. There is also the ‘badhward’ thistle (which can be found under ‘B’ in this book) and also ‘afzan’, which grows prolifically in tlmaght, near the town of Sale and tafaghit, known by the people of Fes as tafgha. There is also ‘ilk al-shuk’ but the most well known by the Moroccan people is kharshuf, mentioned first, which is used in cooking.
Continue reading “Thistle: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”General Information
From the basil family and related to oregano and pennyroyal. It has a leaf like that of oregano except that it is longer, with lines along it and a rough texture. They are arranged in groups of four and have a well-known scent.
Continue reading “Mint: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”General Information
A fruit from a tree belonging to the Moraceae family, coming in many varieties, of which there are white, black and red. The white type is made up of multiple varieties and types, amongst which there is ‘wadnaksi’ which is featured in the sunna of the Prophet twice, and it is the finest and best of the fig species.
Continue reading “Fig: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”Continue reading “Carob: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”“It is recounted that Solomon – peace be upon him – was given by God a different tree every day in his Sanctuary, and when he saw it he would ask: “What is your name? What are your useful qualities? How do you harm?””
Continue reading “Lavender: A Translation from The Garden of Blossoms”“Its name means “the place of spirits” [in Arabic], and it comes in many forms…”
On a cold, February day, in an ancient courtyard behind the Qarwaeen University, I found Hadiqat al-Azhar. The corners of its pages golden with age and smelling distinctly of earth, its presence was foreboding and heavy with expectation.
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The Atlas Apothecary Sourcebook 