Treating Anaemia.

There are several different types of anaemia and each one has a different cause. The most common type of anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia, which this article focuses on. Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when there is a reduced number of red blood cells because the body does not have enough iron to produce them. The main symptoms are weakness, tiredness and lethargy (lack of energy).

People with iron deficiency may also notice a pale complexion and a pale colour underneath the lower eyelid (this area is highly vascular and will show up any lack of Haemoglobin in the blood a bit more clearly). Dry and flaking nails or a sore tongue can also be other signs.

Other forms of anaemia can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate in the body.

See the NHS Health A-Z topic about Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia for more information about this condition.

Iron

Iron is found in meat, dried fruit and some vegetables. It is used by the body to make hemoglobin, which helps store and carry oxygen in red blood cells. Haemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If there is a lack of iron in the blood, the organs and tissues will not get as much oxygen as they usually do.

How common is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia affects up to 1 in 20 men and 1 in 20 post-menopausal women (after a woman’s monthly periods have stopped) in the UK.

Iron deficiency anaemia may be more common in women who are still menstruating (having periods), particularly if they are prone to heavy bleeding. This is because blood loss and pregnancy can cause lower levels of Haemoglobin in the blood.

It is also very common for women to develop iron deficiency during pregnancy. This is because your body needs extra iron so that your baby has a sufficient blood supply and receives all of the necessary oxygen and nutrients. Many pregnant women require an iron supplement, particularly from the 20th week of pregnancy.

Iron deficiency anaemia can also be caused by gastrointestinal bleeding or being restricted to a vegetarian diet. Your doctor should always be consulted in these cases.

Iron-rich foods include:

• dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress, spinach, broccoli and curly kale
• iron-fortified bread
• beans and lentils
• eggs
• carrots
• nuts (almonds are the best type)
• meat (particularly liver, see below)
• apricots (a fruit which was used by one of the wives of Nabi (pbuh) to make a drink which he loved)
• dried dates, figs and prunes
• watermelon
• raisins

Liver is a fantastic source of soluble iron, thus making it one of the best foods for patients with iron deficiency. Amongst the livers of all the halal animals, the liver of the camel is the best type, particularly when it is cooked with a little of its hump fat. If camel liver is not available in your location, lamb’s liver or chicken livers are also very good. They tend to be slightly softer and easier to digest.

Tasty Liver Curry Recipe

Regarding the consumption of liver, it has been recorded in the Sunnah that it is permissible;

It was narrated by Abdullah ibn 'Umar (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Two kinds of dead meat and two kinds of blood have been permitted to us. The two kinds of dead meat are fish and locusts, and the two kinds of blood are the liver and spleen.”

Sunan Ibn Majah  Book 29, Hadith 3439. Classed as Sahih by Darussalaam.

http://www.sunnah.com/urn/1274220

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to eat liver;

It is narrated that Abu Rafi' (radhi Allahu anhu) said, "I testify that I used to roast the liver of the goat for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and then he offered praver but did not perform ablution."

Sahih Muslim Book 3, Hadith 695

In order to take full advantage of the healing which liver meat provides, its curries should be cooked in the blessed olive oil, without browning the onions too much. For this curry, salt to taste and a little vinegar should be stirred in just before serving to ensure that the meat doesn’t become tough during the cooking process. With regards to vinegars, the best to use are those which are raw (unfiltered) and organic.

Ingredients

1 cup – Liver meat, cleaned, washed and drained, chopped into bite-sized chunks
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons - Ginger and garlic paste
½ teaspoon – Turmeric powder
1 teaspoon – Red chilli powder, or to taste
½ teaspoon each of cumin and coriander powders
Salt, to taste
1 medium-sized ripe tomato, finely chopped
1-3 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon of vinegar
Small bunch of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon garam masala powder

Directions

Gently heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan, try not to get it too hot (smoking).
Add onions and fry, stirring frequently, until they have barely browned.
Add in the ginger and garlic paste and turmeric powder and cook for another 1-2 mins.
Add in the red chilli powder, cumin and coriander powders, cook for 30 seconds.
Add in the chopped tomato and a little water, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are fully cooked and a little oil starts to separate from the rest of the masala.
Now add in the liver pieces, the remaining water, cover and cook for 5-7 mins, or until some of the water has evaporated and the meat is tender.
Just before serving, add salt, vinegar and garam masala and stir though the curry. Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.


This curry should ideally be served with barley bread in order to maximise its healing benefits insha’Allah.

Dairy products and tea/coffee are known to hinder the body’s absorption of iron and so should be avoided.

Vinegar and it's uses.

Vinegar is considered as one of the key remedies from Islamic Medicine and there are a number of Sahih Hadith which the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wassallam) has been reported as having praised it.

Jabir ibn 'Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked his family for condiment. They (the members of his household) said, "We have nothing with us but vinegar." He asked for it, he began to eat it, and then said, "Vinegar is a good condiment, vinegar is a good condiment."

Sahih Muslim Book 23, Hadith 5093

And also our Mother A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) reported Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as saying, "The best of condiments [or condiment] is vinegar."
Sahih Muslim Book 23, Hadith 5091

It is the opinion of Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) that the Messenger said 'vinegar is a good condiment' in order to placate the one who offered it to him (i.e. his wife), rather than to say that vinegar is preferable to all other condiments, and Allah Azzawajjal knows best.
Reference to 'Provisions for the Hereafter' page 199.

The best types of vinegar to use in medicine and for food are undoubtedly those which are manufactured in accordance with Islamic Law (i.e, brewed directly from the fruit's juice rather than from wine or cider). Of these halaal vinegars, the lighter types, i.e., lighter in colour and taste, are more beneficial, preferably if they are made from apples, pomegranates, pears, grapes or dates.

The many trace minerals and other substances in raw vinegar [that which still contains the vinegar's "mother" [which is the blob of cellulose in which the bacteria responsible for converting the original liquid to the vinegar, live] is the key to vinegar's many healing properties.

Cellulose Mother from home brewed pomegranate vinegar. Photo courtesy of tibbenabawi.org

The "mother" of vinegar is usually filtered out during the manufacture of commercial table vinegars in order to make them more visually appealing and marketable. However, as a result, the commercial vinegars which we buy from the market are of no real health benefit.

Halaal Vinegar Technology.

The above term was created by our brothers at the tibbenabawi.org site to describe the process of brewing vinegar at home using aerobic fermentation.

Aerobic fermentation means that the fruit juice base does not need to be converted into wine or cider before it can be brewed into vinegar. This eliminates any risk of trace amounts of alcohol in the finished product, which is unlike commercial vinegars which are brewed from wine or cider. There is a high risk that they contain trace amounts of alcohol and there are different schools of thought regarding the permissibly of consumption.

It's worth bearing in mind the following Hadith before purchasing vinegars brewed from wine or cider;

Anas ibn Malik (radhi Allahu anhu) said, "Abu Talhah (radhi Allahu anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about the orphans who had inherited wine. He replied, "Pour it out." He [Abu Talhah] asked, "May I not make vinegar of it?" The Messenger replied, "No."

Classed as Sahih from Sunan Abi Dawood Book 26, Hadith 3667

You can find out more about Halal Vinegar Technology here - 

http://www.tibbenabawi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=239:halal-vinegar-technology&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=77

Vinegar benefits the following ailments;

• Arthritic pains
• Blood pressure
• Uneven skin pigmentation
• Bleeding gums
• Toothache
• High Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Weak/thin Bones
• Weight gain
• Cancer
• Yeast Infections
• Fungal infections
• Sore Throat
• Stomach upset
• Burping / passing wind due to poor digestion
• Nasal Congestion

Vinegar is primarily known to help ease indigestion by stimulating the stomach and intestines, helping them work faster. A tonic of one tablespoon of vinegar mixed in a cup of warm water and sipped slowly will help ease indigestion and bloating. Gargling with hot vinegar helps toothache, relieves pain and benefits the gums. Hot vinegar also helps the healing of fungal nail infections since it is acidic and kills bacteria in the nail and in the nail bed.

Vinegar can also be used to help even out skin pigmentation and dark spots, but it has a drying effect so it should be mixed with black cumin seed oil (in equal parts) and the applied to the skin avoiding the eye area. It also helps to exfoliate the skin. It can be left on for an hour and then gently washed off with soap and warm water.

Vinegar for medicinal usage is often prepared by adding 3 or 4 teaspoons of whole black cumin seeds into the liquid, before tightly closing the bottle and then refrigerating this mixture for at least two weeks. The seeds can then be strained out using a piece of muslin cloth and used in cooking or discarded. The resulting vinegar is darker in colour and contains all the natural minerals and goodness from the seeds.

Many heart attacks are caused by high fats and cholesterol in your blood. The fiber in raw vinegar helps to absorb fats and cholesterol by expelling them from the body as waste materials.

The dietary fibre from the skins and seeds of the original fruits used to make the raw vinegar is also helpful in controlling glucose levels in the blood.

Minerals like manganese, calcium, magnesium, silicon and iron in vinegar help develop bone mass and make them stronger.

The "mother" which remains in raw vinegar is also useful for treating yeast infections like Candida caused by the unbalance of acid levels in the body. Making a solution of the vinegar in warm water and douching can help with the symptoms.

Raw vinegar is also useful in flu or chest congestion. Applying it mixed with pepper on the chest can help relieve some of the congestion.

If you have a sore throat, gargle with a hot solution of vinegar mixed with water. 

In your digestive system hydrochloric acid and pepsin are two essential components that break down the food to be digested properly. The lack of these components can cause food poisoning amongst other problems. Raw vinegar has the ability to enhance the functionality of the stomach and digestive tract and so help prevent food poisoning.

Vinegar is useful in well functioning metabolism; Reducing cholesterol (the dangerous LDL cholesterol type); Regulating the water content in the cells and body; Reducing water retention in the body; Reducing excess sodium from the body; Helps with regulating blood pressure; Assists in preventing circulatory problems; Helps with diminishing premature calcification of the arteries; Helps increase concentration and memory; Assists in blood circulation, body temperature as well as vitality and energy.

The Blessings of the Black Seed.

The Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa) is one of the most universally powerful medicines known to man. It is a small triangular seed from a flowering herb of the buttercup family, and also known as the Blessed Seed, Black Cumin [Bukhari], Habbatul Barakah or Kalonji. It has been known and cultivated for over two thousand years, including by the ancient Egyptians and Romans.

Abu Huraira (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that God’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death."

Sahih al Bukhari  Volume 7, Book 71, Number 592

Treatment from Hadith using 5/7 crushed black seeds.

It was narrated by Khalid bin Sad (radhi Allahu anhu), who said, "We went out and Ghalib bin Abjar (radhi Allahu anhu) was accompanying us. He fell ill on the way and when we arrived at Medina he was still sick. Ibn Abi 'Atiq (radhi Allahu anhu) came to visit him and said to us, "Treat him with black cumin. Take five or seven seeds and crush them (mix the powder with oil) and drop the resulting mixture into both nostrils, for 'Aishah (radhi Allahu anha) has narrated to me that she heard the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying, 'This black cumin is healing for all diseases except As-Sam.' A'ishah asked, 'What is As-Sam?' He said, 'Death."

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 591

The oil extracted from the seeds is particularly good for healing cold, wet illnesses, benefits bronchitis and coughs, acts as a digestive tonic, eases belching, stimulates excretion of body wastes, expels intestinal worms, stimulates menstruation in women and increases the flow of breast milk for nursing mothers. Adding a few drops of the oil to coffee helps calm the nervous system, dispels fatigue and mild depression and eases a dry cough.

The Black Seed is also particularly beneficial for women suffering from abnormal absence of menstruation and other menstrual difficulties. An ointment made of black seed oil can also stimulate the growth of the beard and slow down the greying of hair. Boiling Black Seeds in vinegar and then rinsing one’s mouth with this liquid can help relieve toothache and heal gum problems.

Placing powdered black seeds in a fine muslin cloth and inhaling them regularly helps reduce the effects of winter colds. 

Link to cure for specific ailments using black seed oil - http://prophetic-medicine.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/black-seed-oil-cures.html

Study Finds Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer - http://www.healthymuslim.com/articles/ohsik-study-finds-nigella-sativa-black-seed-inhibits-pancreatic-cancer.cfm

Honey is from both the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

Honey is ma sha'Allah the most pleasing sweetener created and Allah the Most Exalted praises the Bee in the Qu'ran and mentions honey's healing quality;

"There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colours, in which is a healing for people. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who give thought."

[16:69]

Allah uncovers the hidden beauty of honey by mentioning that it varies in colours. The same bee can produce different colours of honey at different times of the year depending on which wild flowers it has visited.

Ibn al Qayyim (rahimullah) mentions that natural [organic] honey is the best of all nutritive sweeteners. Light-coloured honey which has had the minimum of processing and comes from mountainous or wooded areas is better than other types of honey. Honey contains detergent and tonic properties. Taking a spoonful of honey in the mornings helps dissolve phlegm, gently warms and strengthens the stomach and increases a person’s appetite. Drinks sweetened with sugar rather than with honey yield more harm than benefit. A cold drink of honey and water insha’Allah strengthens the body,preserves its youth, as well as refreshing the heart.

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam's) fondness for Honey;

It has been narrated by A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) that "Allah's Apostle was fond of honey and sweet edible things and (it was his habit) that after finishing the 'Asr prayer he would visit his wives and stay with one of them at that time. Once he went to Hafsa, the daughter of 'Umar and stayed with her more than usual. I got jealous and asked the reason for that. I was told that a lady of her folk had given her a skin filled with honey as a present, and that she made a syrup from it and gave it to the Prophet to drink (and that was the reason for the delay). I said, "By Allah we will play a trick on him (to prevent him from doing so)." So I said to Sada bint Zam'a "The Prophet will approach you, and when he comes near you, say: 'Have you taken Maghafir (a bad-smelling gum)?' He will say, 'No.' Then say to him: 'Then what is this bad smell which i smell from you?' He will say to you, 'Hafsa made me drink honey syrup.' Then say: Perhaps the bees of that honey had sucked the juice of the tree of Al-'Urfut.' I shall also say the same. O you, Safiyya, say the same." Later Sada said, "By Allah, as soon as he (the Prophet) stood at the door, I was about to say to him what you had ordered me to say because I was afraid of you." So when the Prophet came near Sada, she said to him, "O Allah's Apostle! Have you taken Maghafir?" He said, "No." She said. "Then what is this bad smell which I detect on you?" He said, "Hafsa made me drink honey syrup." She said, "Perhaps its bees had sucked the juice of Al-'Urfut tree." When he came to me, I also said the same, and when he went to Safiyya, she also said the same. And when the Prophet again went to Hafsa, she said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Shall I give you more of that drink?" He said, "I am not in need of it." Sada said, "By Allah, we deprived him (of it)." I said to her, "Keep quiet." '

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 63, Number 193

Honey as a medicine.

The use of honey as a medicine is directly traced to the Sahih Sunnah and therefore should be strongly promoted;

It was narrated by Ibn Abbas (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Healing is in three things: cupping, a gulp of honey or cauterization, (branding with fire) but I forbid my followers to use cauterization (branding with fire)."

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 585

And also;

It was narrated by Sa'id Al Khudri (radhi Allahu anhu) that a man came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and said, "My brother has some abdominal trouble." The Prophet said to him "Let him drink honey." The man came for the second time and the Prophet said to him, 'Let him drink honey." He came for the third time and the Prophet said, "Let him drink honey." He returned again and said, "I have done that ' The Prophet then said, "Allah has said the truth, but your brother's abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey." So he made him drink honey and he was cured.

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 588

The most anti-bacterial honey is ‘Manuka’, which is produced in New Zealand. It is renowned as the ultimate healing honey and comes in three main strengths, Active 5+, Active 10+ and Active 15+; the higher the numeric factor, the higher the anti-bacterial and antiseptic powers of the honey. Active 5+ or similar should be adequate to help treat digestive disorders, sore throats, acne, eczema and sunburn, and it can also help in the fight against gum disease.

I have personally found that the best honey for general consumption is that which is produced locally to where the patient lives and is unfiltered and organic. Local honey mixed with bee pollen is also an excellent treatment for the patient's summertime allergies like hayfever as it slowly build's up the patient's resistance to allergens.

Honey can also be used to treat wounds due to its anti-bacterial properties and it can also be used in skin treatments since it has the ability to soften, absorb and retain moisture. A very effective face pack can be made with one tablespoon each of besan (gram flour), honey, lemon juice and milk, mixed together and applied for 30 mins before washing off. This in sha’Allah helps soften skin and even out brown spots.

Honey should be excluded from the diets of infants under 12 months of age.

Miswaak.

Siwaak [Miswaak] is a natural toothbrush, made from a piece of the fibrous root of the Araak tree, which grows around the Arabian Peninsula. You can buy a Miswaak stick in any good Islamic store. The outer bark will need to be stripped away from the tip of the stick, then the fibrous inner root can be gently chewed until it separates out into a brush. When the brush-end gets worn away, more bark can be removed and the process starts again.

It is narrated in two instances of correct prophetic traditions that God’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “If I did not think that it would be difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to brush their teeth with a Miswaak before each prayer.” 

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 12

And also;

'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu 'Atiq (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated; "My father told me: 'I heard 'A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) say, (narrating) from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): "Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord."

Classed as Sahih in Sunan An Nasa'i Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 5

Ibn al Qayyim (rahimullah) said that the preferred type of Miswaak is from the Aloeswood tree because it tastes better and is more fragrant, and it’s better to let it soak a while in rose water before brushing.

God’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) also used to brush his teeth with it before retiring to bed and he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was also particularly ceremonial about cleaning his teeth with a Miswaak before taking his ablution for prayers, upon waking up for the supererogatory night prayers (Tahajjud or Qiyyaam ul Layl), before the Faj’r prayer and also upon entering home from being out.

Hudhaifa (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that "Whenever the Prophet got up at night [for the Tahajjud Prayer], he used to clean his mouth with Siwaak."

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 4, Number 246 and also Volume 2, Book 21, Number 237

Such was the love of Siwaak to Rasool'Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that it was one of the very last acts he carried out in the throes of death just before he passed away;

Our Mother A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) narrated; "It was one of the favors of Allah towards me that Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) expired in my house on the day of my turn while he was leaning against my chest and Allah made my saliva mix with his saliva at his death. 'Abdur-Rahman entered upon me with a siwak in his hand and I was supporting (the back of) Allah's Apostle (against my chest). I saw the Prophet looking at it (i.e. siwak) and I knew that he loved the siwak, so I said (to him), "Shall I take it for you?" He nodded in agreement. So I took it and it was too stiff for him to use, so I said, "Shall I soften it for you?" He nodded his approval. So I softened it and he cleaned his teeth with it. In front of him there was a jug or a tin, (The sub-narrator, 'Umar is in doubt as to which was right) containing water. He started dipping his hand in the water and rubbing his face with it, he said, "None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Death has its agonies." He then lifted his hands (towards the sky) and started saying, "With the highest companion," till he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) expired and his hand dropped down.

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 730

Brushing one’s teeth excessively and roughly with a toothbrush or a Miswaak can dull their polish, harm the enamel and make bad breath symptoms worse because bacteria can harbour in the microscopic pores on the surface of the teeth which are uncovered once the enamel has worn away.

Regular and moderate brushing of the teeth with a Miswaak preserves their polish, strengthens their roots, renders the speech more eloquent, prevents plaque build-up, clears the brain, sharpens the memory, freshens the mouth and generates a good appetite. 

The use of a Miswaak is also highly recommended during fasting as long as no toothpastes or powders are also used. Dentists also advocate brushing the tongue whenever you brush your teeth as it can sometimes harbour the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Miswaak Toothpaste.

There are a number of manufacturers which now sell toothpaste with Miswaak extract. Some people may prefer to use these products but they do not contain any significant amount of extract, neither have there been any studies to look at how using them compares with using the Siwaak stick.

Some of these products contain high amounts of artificial flavourings and sweeteners, as well as potentially dangerous amounts of Fluoride. Some brands of Miswaak Toothpaste have higher amounts of Fluoride in them than regular toothpastes. Danger Of Bone Cancer From Fluoride In Toothpaste, Drinking Water

Bad breath is not something that is solely down to poor oral hygiene, it could be the result of a deeper, underlying problem which should be checked out by your doctor.

Drinking acidic drinks and drinks with a high sugar content frequently, like juices and colas, can have the effect of fermenting bad bacteria in the gut (this can also lead to a sluggish digestive system and bloating), which in turn causes bad breath and thickened saliva. It’s better to get into the habit of replacing such drinks with mineral water with increasing frequency until you only enjoy them now and then.

It’s also important to avoid eating raw onions and garlic because the mouth odour they cause is offensive to the Angels. Onions and garlic should always be cooked before eating unless the raw prescription was made by a qualified tabeeb to treat a medical condition.