Chapter 1

Islamic Medicine

ENGLISH VERSION.

Healing by Herbs

Episode 1

Black Cumin seed(Habbatus sauda) and Huff(cress) - Habb-al-rashaad

The one who is fully aware of the affairs of His creation decreed that trials and tribulations would affect us, and from these trials are some which may affect our health and wellbeing. Therefore from His bounty He made for every ailment a cure and from these cures He made the blackseed. This is supported by the prophetic narration on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said "Use the black seed, because it contains a cure for every type of ailment except death."

The strength of the cress is similar to the effectiveness of Black seed, in every respective, But more superior because it is praised by our Beloved prophet Muhammad Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

The Hadith that Abu Hanifah referred to is what Abu Ubayd and other scholars have related from Ibn Abbas Radi Allaho Anh that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was reported to have said:

"What a cure do the two bitter remedies carry, the Hurf(Cress) and Aloe Vera".

WARNING :

Although there are not many sources that speak about the side affects of the black seed it is advised that one does not exceed more than 25g as excessive dosage may be harmful (healing with the medicine of the prophet). Pregnant women are not advised to take the black seed and patients with major illnesses such as liver and kidney disease should consult a doctor as it can cause a drop in blood pressure. Diabetic patience are advised to consult a physician before using the black seed.

With all medications one must have faith in its means of cure, but in essence the cure is from Allah. And Allah knows best.

SENNA

Senna has been mentioned in the Sunnah of the Prophet.

From Asmaa Bint Umais, She said: The Messenger  said "with what do you relieve constipation?" she said: with the shubrum. He said "(it is) hot and strong", she then said: I also relieve it with the Senna, so he said "if there was a thing (which) cures from death indeed it would be the Senna." [Ibn Maajah 3461; Shaykh Al-Albaani graded it daeef. The two Arnaoots mentioned that this hadeeth is strengthened by the following narration.]

The Prophet said "Upon you is the Senna and the Sanoot (cumin) for indeed in the two of them is a cure for every disease except Saam" He was asked "O Messenger of Allah, What is Saam?" He said "Death" [Ibn Maajah 3457; Shaykh Al-Albaani graded it saheeh]

MEDICAL USES

According to Ibn Al-Qayyim, other than being a laxative, senna relaxes the muscle and improves the hair; it also helps against lice, headache, rash and epilepsy.

Senna can be used for the hair in the same way that Henna is applied. The difference is Senna does not colour the heair like Henna. It makes the hair thick and glossy and improves the health of the scalp.

Today the leaves and pods of the Senna plant are important ingredients of laxatives sold in most pharmacies. It is a recognised cure for constipation which begins to work 10-12 hours after ingestion. It detoxes the body and cleanses the colon. Sihab Al-Badry Yassin a researcher in Egypt compiled a chemical analysis proving the advantages of senna. In it he shows how senna cured a patient who had bacteria in the stomach that was preventing iron absorption in his body. He was treated with cupping and Senna as a detox to cleanse his stomach and colon. For further reading please refer to his book "Medicating with Senna, A prophetic way of life".

WARNING :

Since Senna is a strong laxative it can lead to stomach or abdominal pains. For this reason it is advisable to take it with aromatic or carminative (something that expels gas from the body) herbs. Other cautions of Senna are;

1. Repeated use of Senna can aggravate constipation

2. It should not be given to children under the age of 12 years

3. It should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers

4. It should not be taken by persons who have intestinal blockage or inflammation

It should not be taken by persons who suffer from haemorrhoids

5. It should not be taken at the same time as drugs containing antraquinones.

Please let us all take care of our Health.

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