The benefits of Cress.

Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimuAllah) mentioned the health benefits of cress in his work 'Prophetic Medicine'. He said that cress was beneficial for, warming and softening the belly, reducing inflammation of the spleen when combined with honey, preventing hair loss, increasing appetite, asthma and clearing the lungs. He also said that if cress seeds are crushed and drunk with hot water, this is beneficial for colic and vitiligo (a chronic condition that causes pale, white patches to develop on the skin).

Cress (botanical name Lepidum sativum) is commonly known as garden cress and is closely related to mustard and watercress. It is an edible plant that, when fully grown, has a peppery flavour and aroma similar to mustard and watercress. It is typically harvested when very young, at the cotyledon leaf stage.

Garden cress contains significant amounts of iodine, iron, calcium, folic acid and vitamins A and C. It is also a source of phytochemicals and antioxidants. It's the iodine content in cress which is so valuable to the human body in today's day and age.

According to a study funded by Australia's Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the anti cancer effects of garden cress far outweighed that of other green vegetables tested (the study was conducted on cress vs. some common species of brassicas).

Source - http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/garden-cress-nutritional-benefits.php

How to Grow Cress.

Cress is very easy to grow. It can be grown all year round in any country, indoors or in the garden in Spring. When grown indoors, either seed trays or wet cotton wool in pots are usually used. It is often grown by children as their first introduction to gardening.

To grow cress in seed trays, lightly sprinkle the seeds onto wet cotton wool or a few layers of wet kitchen paper. Keep the seeds moist throughout germination and place the tray in a bright spot, like a south facing windowsill.

The seeds should begin to sprout in around 2 days. Insha'Allah in 5-7 days, the cress should be ready to harvest.

How to use cress.

Both the leaves and stems of cress can be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches, and are sometimes called cress sprouts. They are delicious and as with all sprouted seeds, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Eating raw garden cress is beneficial for women with irregular or suppressed menstruation. It is also very beneficial for them when cooked in soups.

According to Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimuAllah) for the treatment of hair loss, the juice of young garden cress is massaged on the scalp and hair. It can be extracted using a juicer. It is also beneficial for hair loss if it is consumed.

The crushed seeds can be steeped in boiling water for 10 mins and drunk as a hot infusion for the treatment of viscous phlegm build up in the chest and lungs (bronchitis, chest infections) by helping the patient cough it out. This decoction also benefits asthma sufferers as does eating raw cress in general.

According to Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimuAllah), patients with sciatica can make a pomade of cress leaves, barley stems and halaal vinegar (blend them to a paste in a food processor) and apply this mixture to the affected area, wrapping it with cling film so that it does not dry out. My personal advice is to leave it for an hour, then wash it off. Used with Hijaama wet cupping, Allah will bring relief insha'Allah.

Nourishment for the convalescing

Swiss Chard, cortesy of www.JohnHarveyPhoto.com)

Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah, Umm Al Munthir daughter of Qays al-Ansariyyah, radiya Allahu anhaa said: "The Messenger of Allah, salalahu alaihi wa sallam, entered my tent with 'Ali, radiya Allahu anhu,  who was recuperating from an illness. We had an adjacent palm tree with cluster of dates hanging from it. The Messenger of Allah, salalahu alaihi wa sallam, stood up and ate from it, and 'Ali, radiya Allahu anhu, followed suit. The Messenger of Allah, salalahu alaihi wa sallam, addressed ' Ali, radiya Allahu anhu, by saying: ' Gently, gently, you are still convalescing.' 'Ali, radiya Allahu anhu stopped eating. Immediately, I went and prepared a dish of Swiss card beets cooked with barley for him. The Messenger of Allah, salalahu alaihi wa sallam, then addressed ' Ali, saying ' Eat this food. It is more suitable for your present condition.'

Swiss chard beets, known as Silq amongst the Arabic speaking, is a tall, leafy green vegetable member of the beet family.  Its taste is like a cross between spinach and beets.

      Swiss chard beets ( stalks and leaves) cooked with barley together provide the best nourishment for one who is recovering from an illness, as the Prophetic traditions indicate. This meal protects the digestive juices against putrefaction, while it supplies sustaining nutrients to a delicate stomach. Adding Swiss chard beets to one's diet opens obstruction of the liver and spleen.  Black chard when eaten with lentils reduces stomach burns and helps to prevent peptic ulcers. Caution should be used eating chard in excess, as it can cause constipation and bloating, can produce insulin deficiency ( i.e. diabetes), and biliousness in the blood.  However, vinegar and mustard with the meal balances such effects.

 Chard is an excellent source of vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, Vitamin E and dietary fiber. It is a very good source of copper, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and protein. In addition, swiss chard is a good source of phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, folate, biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid.  Healthy Muslim.com

Here are some other  benefits of using Swiss chard for a number of different conditions:

 Alopecia- due to its astringent properties, applying the water of the dark variety of Swiss chard beets to the hair is a treatment for hair loss.
  
Lice: applying the water also kills head lice

Skin discoloration: applying the water is used as a treatment for skin discoloration of the face and chest and reduces large skin markings (lichen)

Impetigo: applying a pomade of crushed Swiss chard leaves mixed with honey is used for treating eruption of the skin pustules


 Swiss chard beets, are both hot and dry carrying a coolness to the body which affects decomposition, dilates the vessels, and promotes bowel movements, thus preventing digestive tract cancer This is a great food which provides nourishment to the body while it aids in complete digestion and proper elimination of the body systems. 

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.

Treating head lice according to Sunnah.

The cure for head lice according to the Sunnah of the beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is to shave the hair of the head, where Ka'b bin 'Umra (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that, "Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stood beside me at Al-Hudaibiya and the lice were falling from my head in great number. He asked me, "Have your lice troubled you?" I replied in the affirmative. He ordered me to get my head shaved. Ka'b added, "This Holy Verse:--'And if any of you is ill, or has ailment in his scalp (2.196), etc. was revealed regarding me. "The Prophet then ordered me either to fast three days, or to feed six poor persons with one Faraq (three Sas) (of dates), or to slaughter a sheep, etc (sacrifice) whatever was available.

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 3, Book 28, Number 42

The reason for shaving the head is to allow the pores on the surface of the scalp to open and for excess moisture on the scalp to evaporate. This drying process aids the effectiveness of the next step. After shaving the head, one should apply a mixture of cayenne pepper and vinegar to the head, which helps to detach the lice and their eggs from the roots of the hair follicles. After this, they can be washed away. Female children and women need not shave their heads but should apply the mixture of vinegar and cayenne by separating their hair into sections to make the scalp easier to reach.

References -

"And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah . But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty."

The Qur'an [2:196]

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

The Blessings of Henna

Dyeing the Hair.

The dyeing of hair with Henna (and Katam) is well established from the Sahih Sunnah. Al Muwaffaq Al Baghdadi says, "The colour of Henna is like Fire and is well liked and attractive. It has a pleasant smell. Most of the early generation (Salaf) dyed their hair with it."

The Holy Prophet's encouragement to change the colour of the grey hair;

It was narrated by Abu Dharr (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The best things with which grey hair are changed are Henna and Katam."

Sunan Abi Dawood Book 34, Hadith 4193. Classed as Sahih by Al Albani.

And also;

It was narrated by Abu Huraira (radhi Allahu anhu) that Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "The Jews and the Christians do not dye (their grey hair), so you shall do the opposite of what they do (i.e. dye your grey hair and beards)."

The Holy Prophet's personal use of Henna and Katam;

It was narrated that ‘Uthman bin Mawhab (radhi Allahu anhu) said: “I entered upon Umm Salamah (radhi Allahu anha) and she brought out for me a hair of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), which was dyed with Henna and Katam.”
Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 32, Hadith 3623. Classed as Sahih.

Abu Bakr Siddique's use of Henna and Katam;

It was narrated by Anas (radhi Allahu anhu) that "When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) arrived (at Medina), there was not a single companion of the Prophet who had grey and black hair except Abu Bakr (radhi Allahu anhu), and he dyed his hair with Henna and Katam (i.e. plants used for dying hair). Through another group of narrators, Anas bin Malik (radhi Allahu anhu) said,. "When the Prophet arrived at Medina, the eldest amongst his companions was Abu Bakr. He dyed his hair with Hinna and Katam till it became of dark red color."

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 257

Dr Samas Qasi confirms that Henna paste may be applied to the scalp for lengthy periods (4-12 hours) so that the purifying and astringent substances in Henna may work on clearing the scalp of germs, parasites, dandruff and excess oily secretions.  

To make henna paste for dying hair and skin, fresh henna powder should be mixed with enough lemon juice so that it has the consistency of yogurt, and then it should be tightly covered and allowed to sit for 24 hours prior to use. This allows the acidic lemon to break down the henna leaves and release the dye. Henna should be left on the skin or hair for a minimum of 4 hours to ensure a darker stain.

Usefulness in the treatment of skin, nails, wounds and burns.

The water in which henna leaves have been boiled is good for the treatment of burns, as is the paste itself.

The paste of Henna is also useful in the treatment of brittle nails. Women are encouraged to apply henna to their hands and nails so as to make their hands distinct from those of men and unfortunately this custom is usually only reserved for special occasions like Eid. However, it must be noted that henna patterns which depict living creatures, mythical animals or which copy the traditional symbols of other religions are forbidden in Islam.

Dr Samas Qasi said that Henna paste is also beneficial in the treatment of fungal infections, particularly those that occur in the folds of skin and between the toes and it also helps to heal wounds. 

Henna blossoms placed inside folded garments also prevent moth attack.

Henna Water is useful as a detoxifyer and cleanser of the kidney and liver.

References - 

Islamic Medicine - The Key to a Better Life. By Yusuf Al Hajj Ahmad. Darussalam 2010.