Medical Manuscript in Malayalam Script

Tens of thousands of manuscripts on Indian traditional medicines are in private collections and institutions around the world. For centuries palm leaf manuscripts were used recording scholarly works and documents of everyday life. The flexible flaps from leaves of Palmyra and Talipot palms were prepared by drying and polishing them, and inscribed using a metal stylus. The writing was then made visible by applying lamp black in oil. The combination of lamp black and oil also gave the leaves durability and flexibility. The leaves were bound together with cords threaded through holes pierced through the entire set of leaves. Often wooden covers at the front and back were attached to give the manuscript strength and protect the writing.
 
Regional medicinal plant knowledge recorded on centuries old medical palm leaf manuscripts of the family of the Kerala folk physician/scholar Itty Achudem was the primary source of the celebrated 17th century botanical work, Hortus Indicus Malabaricus. Unfortunately due to lack of archiving efforts etc., the family’s entire collections of palm leaf documents were discarded in the mid-20th century.