Abstract
Ahmed Pasha Kamal was the first Egyptian scholar to write his own ancient
Egyptian dictionary, Le lexique de la langue Egyptienne ancienne totaling 22
volumes, including more than 13,000 hieroglyphic entries translated to French and
Arabic, yet following different methodology. Kamal’s knowledge production was
varied in languages and in targeting audience. He published in Arabic for the
Egyptian people and in French (mainly) and English for westerns. Among his
publications is “The Dictionary of the Ancient Plants and Trees” تاتابنلا يف ةيردلا ئللآلا
ةيرصملا ةميدقلا راجشلأاو Al-La’ali’ Al-Durriya fi Al-Nabatat wa Al-Ashjar Al-Qadima
Al-Misriyya, which is an encyclopedic work that is considered one of the most
important references in the study of ancient Egyptian flora. Published in the late 19th
century, this dictionary provides comprehensive information about plants used in
ancient Egypt, including their names in hieroglyphics, along with translations into
Arabic and French. The dictionary is organized alphabetically, it includes detailed
descriptions of specific plants and trees, noting their physical characteristics and
traditional uses. Moreover, it outlines how these plants were used in religious rituals,
medicinal treatments, and daily life, such as growing grains, preparing oils, and
crafting wood. In this research paper, we will present an overview of the medicinal
remedies discussed by Kamal in his study of the uses of plants in the Dictionary of
Plants and Trees, to be compared with the terms found in his 22 volumes dictionary.