[About the need for research on the Polish herbal by Marcin of Urzedów]

Opinions about the value and significance of the Polish Herbal by Marcin of Urzedów (Cracow, 1595) differ. Some historians claim that this book was progressive in relation to the previously published Polish herbals, others - on the contrary - say that the Polish Herbal did not make a significant contribution towards the pharmacobotanical knowledge of the time. However none of these historians brought sufficient arguments pro or con the exceptional position Marcin's Herbal. The author of the paper therefore carried out an analysis of the contents of the Polish Herbal, as well as a comparison of the results with those of previously published Polish herbals.