Aloeswood - Arak

Oud - Agarwood - Aloeswood - Agor - Agoro Gach - Lignum Aloes - Chen Xiang

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Aloeswood is the wood from which the tooth-pick is made. Said Abu Hanffa: aloeswood is the best for the brushing of the teeth, for it renders speech more eloquent, frees the tongue, benefits the weakness due to disease, generates an appetite, and clears the brain. It is better if it is used moistened with rose-water. Tradition says that Ibn ‘Abbas said: In the tooth-pick there are ten benefits: it gives a pleasing perfume to the mouth, strengthens the gums, dissolves phlegm, drives scales away from the teeth, and opens the stomach for food. It is in accordance with [the Sunnah] and it pleases the Lord. It adds to a man’s merit and it gives joy to the angels. Said al-Hadi'qa: When the Prophet, peace be upon him, got up in the morning, he used to clean his mouth with an aloeswood stick.”

Image:  Hafizmuar at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16551002

Warss - Kamala - Ceylon Cornel Tree

Warss - Kamala - Ceylon Cornel Tree

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Warss is dry and hot in the second degree. The best type of warss is the red warss, which is soft in the hand and does not have much bran. Warss is used as an ointment to treat spots, rashes and pimples that appear on the surface of the skin. Warss constipates, has a dyeing quality and helps against leprosy when taken as a drink. Warss has similar benefits to sea qust (costus), and if it is used as an ointment it relieves vitiligo (skin condition of unknown cause, characterized by patchy loss of pigment), rashes, pimples and ulcers. When the clothes are dyed with warss, they strengthen the sexual drive.”

Camphor - Kaafur

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Ibn Samjun said, "There are several kinds of oud and they all carry the general name of Aluwwah. Oud is used in and out of the body and is burned alone or with other substances. There is a medicinal significance when the oud is mixed with camphor as each of them makes the other milder. In addition, burning the oud helps cleanse the air, which is one of the six necessary elements for the body's well-being."

Cinnamon - Darsi'm

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Cinnamon is hot and dry in the third degree. It contains within it a fragrance which strengthens the stomach. A mouthwash containing cinnamon on an empty stomach is good for dimness of vision. Cinnamon also adds strength to ointments.”

Cumin - Sanoot

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "As for cumin there is a difference of opinion concerning its nature. Umar bin Bakr As-Saksaki, for instance, said that cumin is either honey or butter extract. Another opinion suggests that cumin is a seed that resembles the Kammon (cumin), as Ibn AI-Arabi has asserted. The fourth and fifth opinions suggest that cumin is the Persian cumin or fennel, according to Abu Hanifah Ad-Daynoori. The sixth opinion suggests that it is the Shibitt (dill), and the seventh opinion suggests that it is the date, according to Abu Bakr bin As-Sunni, the eighth opinion suggests that it is honey that exists in butter-skin, according to Abdul-Latit Al-Baghdadi. Some doctors stated that the last meaning is the most probable. In this case, the Cumin is prepared by blending senna powder with some honey mixed with ghee, as this is better than taking the senna by itself. Then one licks the mixture that contains the senna, as in this case the senna taste will be made milder, because of the honey and butter, which will assist the laxative power of the senna. Allah knows best.”

Quince - Safarjal

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Quince is cold and dry, constipates and benefits the stomach. Sweet quince is cold and dry and is somewhat mild. Sour quince constipates more than sweet quince and is colder and drier. All types of quince quench the thirst, stop vomiting, help produce urine and constipate. Consuming quince before the meal constipates, while consuming it after the meals softens the stool and helps the digestion process … quince jam strengthens the stomach and the liver and relieves the heart and the soul.”

Ginger - Zanjabil

Zanjibeel - Zanjabil - Zinger - Zanfil - Adrak

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Ginger is hot in the second degree and wet in the first degree. It heats the body, helps the ingestion process, softens the stomach mildly, helps open the clogs of the liver that are caused by coldness and wetness and helps against the wetness that causes sight impairment, when it is eaten or used as kohl. [It strengthens sexual power and decomposes the thick gases accumulating in the intestines and the stomach.  [It] is good for the cold temperament of the liver and the stomach. When one takes some ginger along with two measures of sugar and some hot water, it will work as a laxative and will rid the body of harmful excrements. [It] is an effective ingredient in the ointments that dissolve the phlegm.

Aniseed - Anisun

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Aniseed is hot and dry. It soothes internal pains, dissolves wind, increases the flow of the menses, the milk and the semen, and takes away all harm from poisons. Used as an eye collyrium it heightens vision.”

Saffron - Z'afran

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Blackseed helps against all types of cold ailments. In addition, blackseed helps introduce the effective ingredients of cold medications to the areas affected by hot and dry ailments, as it helps the body absorb the medicine quickly when taken in small dosages. The author of the 'Qanoon' and other people stated that saffron blended with camphor has similar effects, because saffron helps the camphor reach the affected area quickly. There are several types of plants that have similar effects as saffron. It is possible that the hot substance benefits in cases of hot diseases.”

Amber

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Amber is hot and dry and strengthens the heart, the mind and the senses. It In addition strengthens the body and helps relieve facial paralysis, hemiplegia (paralysis), phlegmy ailments, stomach and flatulence … [it] helps open various clogs if it is used as an ointment or as a drink. When it is inhaled [it] will relieve cold symptoms, headaches and migraines.”

Coriander

Coriander – Habbat -ul-Suda  - Kishneez  - Cilantro  - Chinese Parsley – Hu Sui

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Al-Bukhari says that coriander seeds are hot and dry ... Abu Harira reports an apocryphal saying, ‘yours be the seeds of coriander, for they are a cure for all diseases, save the swelling and that is a fatal disease’ … [It] is universally accepted as a panacea. Coriander seeds are useful for all diseases that are cold and wet … [They]never fail to increase the urine, the menses and the milk … They will also cure a cold. If they are boiled in fat, they are good for baldness, warts, and delusions. An ointment of coriander seeds stimulates the growth of the beard and prevents grey hair. … If eaten on bread the seeds remove wind and relieve headaches.”

Jasmine

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Jasmine is cold and dry. It is an aid to the aged, but much smelling of it turns the complexion yellow. The oil of jasmine is heating. If jasmine is dried, powdered up and then placed upon a thing, the black is turned white.”

Violet

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The most beneficial simple kinds of grease are regular oil, then fat and then sesame oil. As for the compound greases, some kinds are wet and cold, such as the essence of violet, which helps against hot headaches and brings sleep to the eye. It moisturises the brain, helps against cracks (or fractures) and excessive dryness of the skin. It is also a beneficial ointment against mange and dry rashes, along with helping the joints be flexible. It is suitable for those who tend to be hot during the summer.”

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