Senna - Sana

Senna – Sana – Fan Xie Ye – Folium Senna

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Senna is hot and dry in the first degree and it is a good, mild medication that does not cause any side effects.”

Ibn Qayyim relates the hadith, “"How do you deal with constipation?" She said, "By using Shubrum (euphorbia piteous)." The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, it is hot and too strong a laxative." She then said. "In addition, use Senna," and the Prophet replied, "If there is a cure that prevents death, it would be Senna." Further, Ibn Majah narrated that Abudllah ibn Umm Haram said that he heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saying: "Use Senno and Sanoot (cumin), because they cure every disease, except Saam." He was asked, "What is Saam?" He said, 'Death'. "”

Watermelon - Bittikh - Batikh

In Tibb (Islamic Medicine), watermelon is classified as cold and moist: food qualities.

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to eat watermelon with ripe dates, saying: "The hotness of this substance [dates] neutralizes the coolness of that [watermelon]."

Ibn Qayyim noted that, “There are several Ahadeeth regarding watermelon none of them are authentic, except the Hadith that we mentioned above.” And, “Green watermelon is cold and wet and is sweet. It works as a cleanser (for the stomach and the intestines). Watermelon departs the stomach more quickly than cucumber and quickly blends with whatever substances are present in the stomach. It is beneficial to eat watermelon when it is warm, but when it is cold it is better to have it with some ginger to offset its harm. Watermelon should be eaten before the meals. Otherwise, it will cause nausea. Some doctors said that when watermelon is, "Eaten before the meal, it cleanses the stomach and removes ailments."

Ibn Qayyim said, “Eating watermelon seeds with sugar will cleanse the stomach from stones and will prevent burning sensation while urinating."

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The green variety is cold and moist: the yellow is inclined to be hot. The greater the sweetness of a melon the greater the heat. It is also a diuretic.

As-Suyuti said that watermelon, “cleanses the belly, augments the spinal fluid, aids sexual intercourse, purifies vision, and cuts a cold. But the probability is that these properties reside only in the yellow melon. It is essential that melon be not eaten in times of dire hunger.”

Marjoram - Murdiqush – Marzanjosh - Mo Jiao Lan

Sweet marjoram is distinguished from Oregano which sometimes referred to as wild marjoram. 

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "When its aroma is smelled, it relieves cold  headache caused by phlegm, colds, black bile and thick flatulence pressure. It relieves congestion, and clogs in the nose and head and dissipates most cold, wet swellings … Marjoram ointment helps relieve backache, knee pain and fatigue.”

Listed in food qualities as hot and dry.

In TCM Marjoram is called Mo Jiao Lan and is considered sweet, cool, pungent and slightly bitter.

Costus Hindi – Qust ul-Hindi - Saussurea Costus

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “In the Sahihayn it is narrated that Anas related from the Prophet, peace by upon him, that he said: "Cupping and marine Costus are the best of your remedies." In addition. Imam Ahmad narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Use this Indian wood, because it contains seven types of cures, among them a cure for pleurisy. "There are two kinds of Costus, the white kind that is called Costus Bahri and the Indian Costus, which is the hottest among them while the white type is the mildest. Both kinds have many benefits. Both kinds of Costus are hot and dry in the third degree, and they dry out the phlegm and colds. When they are taken as a drink, they help weak liver and stomach and the colds associated with such cases … When the face is anointed with Costus that is kneaded with water and honey, it heal the spots that appear on the face.”

Image: By Dinesh Valke from Thane, India - Saussurea costus, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51504723

Cucumber

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, of cucumber that, "The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to eat cucumber with ripe dates. Cucumber is cool and wet in the second degree [see: food qualities] and it cools the hotness in the stomach, it does not spoil quickly and helps relieve prostate pain. [It] helps relieve nausea while its seeds are a diuretic … [it] does not digest easily and its coolness sometimes hurts some parts of the stomach. Hence, one should eat cucumber with what would make its coolness and wetness milder, just as the Prophet did by eating ripe dates with it. In addition, eating it with raisins or honey makes it milder on the stomach.”

Grapes

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Grapes are among the best and most beneficial fruits, and they are eaten fresh, dried, green and ripe. Further, grapes are a type of fruit and nutritious food, along with their benefits as a remedy and a drink. Wetness and hotness are among the characteristics of grapes just as other grains. The best type of grapes is the big grapes that are full of juice, while white grapes are better than the black grapes when both are equal in sweetness. In addition, eating fresh grapes two or three days after harvest is better than eating them immediately otherwise they cause diarrhoea and flatulence.” 

He also said, “They are a source of good nutrition, just like raisins and figs, and In addition strengthen the body. When the seeds of the grapes are removed, the grapes become a more effective laxative. Eating grapes excessively causes headache, unless one, in addition, eats sour pomegranate … The best types of fruits are three: grapes, dates and figs.”

Grapes are hot and dry: food qualities

Cranberries and a healthy urinary tract

An October 2017 review concluded that cranberry products should be taken, “as a first step in reducing recurrent UTIs.” The researchers said, "Our investigation supports that cranberry products can be a powerful tool to fight off frequent UTIs," [Source: EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society.]

In Tibb (Islamic Medicine) cranberries are considered to have cooling and moistening properties: food qualities

Skipping breakfast impact on the arteries

An October 2017 study found that, “Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, or the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a build-up of plaque."

Source: EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society.

Vitamin K and the heart

An October 2017 study found that, “those who consumed the least vitamin K1- found in spinach, cabbage, iceberg lettuce and olive oil - were at 3.3 times greater risk for an unhealthy enlargement of the major pumping chamber of their heart”Source: EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society.

For the Tibb (Islamic Medicine) food qualities of the foods mentioned see:food qualities

Black Tea and Green Tea, Weight Loss

An October 2017 study by UCLA concluded that, “black and green tea changed the ratio of intestinal bacteria in the animals: The percentage of bacteria associated with obesity decreased, while bacteria associated with lean body mass increased.”

Dr. Zhaoping Li, chief of the UCLA Division of Clinical Nutrition said that, “the findings suggest that the health benefits of both green tea and black tea go beyond their antioxidant benefits, and that both teas have a strong impact on the gut microbiome.”  Source: EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society.

For the Tibb (Islamic Medicine) food qualities of black and green tea see: food qualities

Exercise: stop when sweating begins

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, " Know then that moderate exercise is a most potent means of preserving health. It warms the organs and dissolves waste products and renders the body light and active. The time for this is after the descent of the food from the stomach. It accomplishes this in five or six hours, more or less according to the constitution of the individual and of the food. By moderate exercise is meant exercise which makes the skin red and glow. When sweating begins, then it is proper to cease. That which increases the sweat is called heavy exercise.

A few bites

Imam Ahmad narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "The son of Adam never fills a vessel worse than his stomach. The son of Adam only needs a few bites that would sustain him, but if he insists, one third should be reserved for his food, another third for his drink and the last third for his breathing."

Fumitory

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, " Shatarah — Fumitory [has the quality of] heat and dryness. Its special property is to cleanse the blood and set flowing inflamed humours. And in a similar manner it is beneficial for scabs and itch. Said Rhazes: Fumitory is a solvent which makes to flow the inflamed humours and is also good for scabs and pruritus. The dose for each of these is from four to seven drachms. I maintain that this is the best rectifier of all purges, but it is essential to add olive oil and sugar. “

Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber" classifies fumitory as a choleretic (something that increases bile secretion from the liver and increases solids secreted) and says it’s for external use for conjunctivitis.

David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal” says it’s a diuretic, laxative and alterative and, “has a long history of use in the treatment of skin problems such as eczema and acne. Its action is probably due to a general cleansing mediated via the kidneys and liver.

Michael Howard in Traditional Folk Remedies warns that fumitory is “poisonous” and should only be used "under the direction of a medical herbalist."

Traditional Chinese Medicine calls it Yao Yong Qiu Guo Guo Zi Jin and uses it for skin diseases.

Image: By Luis Nunes Alberto (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Myrtle - Rayhan

Myrtle - Rayhan - as been prescribed for fever and pain by ancient physicians for millenia.

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" 

Some of the many things Ibn Qayyim said about myrtle was

• Myrtle is cold in the first degree and dry in the second degree. Yet, it is a compound of several qualities, most of which consist of earthly cold essence.
• It consists of a soft, hot substance.
• Myrtle dries the head nicely and is effective as a constipating agent. Myrtle prevents bile diarrhoea and dissipates hot and wet vapour when one smells its scent.

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" 

Some of the many things As-Suyuti said about myrtle was

• Myrtle is cold and dry in the second degree.
• It cuts short diarrhoea.
• The smelling of it soothes a hot headache as does the powder when used as a plaster upon ulcers and spots.
• Said the Prophet, peace be upon him,: If anyone offers you myrtle as a present, do not refuse it. It is from Heaven. But it should not be used as a tooth-pick.
• Said Ibn "Abbas: When the Prophet Noah descended from the Ark, the first thing that he planted was myrtle.
• And again from the same author: Adam departed from Paradise with three things — myrtle which is the queen of all sweet smelling bushes in the world, compressed dates which are mistress of all the dates of the world, and a stalk of corn which is mistress of the food of the world. This tradition is related by Abu Nu'aim.

Chishti in "The Traditional Healers Handbook" 

Chishti advises using myrtle for chronic bronchitis, gonorrhoea, uterine inflammation and discharge, rheumatism, as an incense to purify the air, when cooked used as a hair dye.

In the UK, myrtle is available from, amongst others, Baldwins.  Note precautions.

Ginger

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, " Zanjabil — Ginger is mentioned in the Quran.  Ginger is hot and dry in the third degree and dry in the second. It contains excess of damp. It is an aid to digestion, strengthens sexual intercourse, and dissolves wind. … A confection of ginger soothes the stomach. It is a help in old age.”

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "In sum, it is good for the liver and stomach, when these are cold in temperament.”

Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber" cites it for external use for rheumatic conditions, arthritic pain and sprains and says it’s safe to use in pregnancy.

David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal” says it can be used for bad circulation, chilblains, cramp, fever, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic, sore throats, fibrositis and muscle sprain.

In Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) ginger is called Xi Xin and is considered spicy and warm. It is used in TCM to prevent pain arising from cold wind that causes body aches, headache, and toothache. It also warms the Lungs and is used for nasal congestion and phlegm.

Ginger biscuits are a personal favourite.

Hummus - Chickpeas

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Hammas — [the] Chick-pea is hot and wet. The action of the black pea is stronger than that of the red and the action of the red than that of the white. The pea produces wind. It also stimulates sexual desires and increases the semen and milk. It beautifies the complexion and does to the body what leaven does to dough. Doctors have said: Sexual intercourse has need of three things. All these are present in the pea.”

Dates

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said that there is difference of opinion whether dates are hot and moist or hot and dry.

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Dates are hot and dry. They increase sexual power, especially if combined with kernels of pine seeds. But if a man eats them while suffering from ophthalmia, he will suffer from headache and other harm. The Prophet forbade ‘Ali to eat dates when he was suffering from ophthalmia”.

As-Suyuti also said

• “Fresh Dates are hot and moist. They generate wind. They rectify a hot constitution when combined with an oxymel or with bitter pomegranates.
• Al-Bukhari has classified Ajwa dates as a wonder drug.
• There is universal agreement that the use of medicine is lawful. Some are of the opinion that it is desirable to make use of drugs because of the well-known saying of the Prophet: Use medicine. And also because he himself used to take medicine both in health and in sickness. When in good health he used to use dates, pumpkins and water melons.
• Said Ja‘far bin Mohamed, having heard the story from his father: Someone presented the Prophet with a packet of dates at a time when someone had had fever. The Prophet gave him one date, then another and another until he had allowed him to eat seven. Then he said: That is enough for you. This he did because there is in dates a something which harms people with fever and brings upon them headaches and thirst. But if they take only a few, this harm does not come upon them.
• If one of your women has given birth to a child, see that the first thing that she eats be fresh and moist dates, for verily there is no food better. For Mary ate these when she brought forth Jesus.
• The Prophet said: Let your women-folk eat dates, for whoever makes dates their food will produce sons with ease.”

Mint

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, " Mint is hot and dry. It is the subtlest of all pot herbs. It strengthens the stomach, soothes hiccup, aids sexual intercourse, and if placed in milk prevents it turning into cheese … An infusion of unripe grapes with mint is used to check nausea.”

In Chinese Traditional Medicine, mint is called Bo He and is used, amongst other things, for a runny nose.  headache, cough, sore throat, and red eyes.

The Coffee Bean

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" indicated that coffee is cold and wet, is good for dysentery and enteritis, relieves thirst and softens the constitution.  He advised that it produces wisdom. And that it should be used carefully.

Vermicelli

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" advised that vermicelli (atriyya) is hot and moist, is beneficial for sore throats and diarrhoea, is slowly digested and gives good nourishment.

Image: By [puamelia] (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ykjc9/2770450268) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons