Specific tips and examples of the Prophet’s medicine (1/2)

Heart care
The following have been prescribed for heart care:

• Smelling oranges fortifies the heart. [1]

• Lemon juice strengthens the heart.[2]

• The aroma of Rihan (sweet basil) strengthens the heart. [3]

• Lisan al-Usfur (ash tree seeds) too is good for the heart. It also soothes pains in the main organs. [4]

• Eating apples also strengthen the heart, according to al-Fatahi.[5]

• Hilba (fenugreek or methi) is also good for the heart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“If my community had only known what there is in fenugreek, they would have bought it and paid its weight in gold.” [6]

• Eating chicken meat is beneficial for heart burns, according to Ibn al-Baytar. [7]

• Anbar (Amber) [8] fortifies the heart and brain. When cooked with rose oil, it soothes heart pains. [9] Yellow amber too has the same effect. [10] Marjan (Coral) has a strong effect on the heart.[11]

Owing to the importance of this organ, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave spiritual remedies for the heart too. One man complained to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the hardness of his heart. The Prophet told him: ‘Stroke the head of an orphan, and give him something to eat.’ To another man who made the same complaint, the Prophet said: ‘Visit the sick, go to funerals and visit tombs.’[12]

But the best medicine of all for the heart is the zikr of Allah.

Insomnia
The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that the best time to sleep is after the food has been digested. It is Sunna to start off sleeping in the right side. Sleeping during the day is bad because, like al-Suyuti points out, it affects the complexion, gives rise to diseases and makes a man lazy. [13][13] The Prophet did encourage a qaylula however, a short sleep in the hottest part of the day. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade a person to sleep (or sit) partly in the sun and partly in the shade.

Sleeping facing down is also forbidden. Finally, sleeping in the state of ablution is strongly encouraged. Rihan (sweet basil) can be sprinkled in water to induce sleep. [14]

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prescribed the following du’a at night for insomnia:
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His anger, and from His punishment, and from the evil of His slaves, and from the whispering of the Shaytan and from their presence. [15]

The Companion Abd Allah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) taught these words to his children. While they were still young, he would write it down and put it in a ta’wiz (amulet) for them to wear around their necks. [16]

Eyesight
Antimony (Athmad) strengthens the optic nerve and preserves the health of the eye, [17]as does Anisun (aniseed) [18][ Eating turnips regularly is good for eyesight as is water melon. [19] Honey used as an eye ointment improves the eyesight. [20] Also, meat improves the eyesight.

Hair Loss
Imam al-Suyuti writes that if coriander seeds are boiled in fat, they are good for treating baldness and warts. [21] Also, if orange peel is boiled in olive oil, the mixture helps to cure scaly legs and hair loss. [22]

Applying olive oil (as a balm) fortifies the hair. [23] Honey softens the hair, makes it grow longer and beautifies it. [24] Dying with henna is also strongly encouraged [25] When used as a balm; it fortifies the hair and the limbs and delays old age. Mixing henna with Kutm (indigo leaf) also strengthens the hair.[26]

Headaches
In case of a cold headache, the patient should sniff musk, amber and coriander. He should also be given honey to eat. He should avoid drinking cold water. Also dying the head with henna protects a person from headaches. The best colour for Muslims to gaze at is green, as this improves the eyesight. According to al-Bukhari, the same applies to running water.[27]

Coughs
The way to treat coughs is to take barley water, pomegranates prepared with almond oil, milky dishes and soft-boiled eggs. Eating snow, meat and anything that is acidic or salty should be avoided.[28]

Liver pains and colics.
Pain in the liver and colic is often caused by eating too much wind-producing foods, such as peas, lentils, dry beans and the entry of food upon food. The cure is to rub the liver area with rose oil.

Other major problems…

Bladder problems
Water melon is good to remove stones in the kidney and bladder. [29] Drinking olive oil also works quickly in removing stones in the kidney.

Constipation
Sleeping after immediately eating leads to constipation.[30] Zubd (butter) is good for this.[31]

Sexual desires
Dates and coconut are said to increase sexual desire in both partners. Rice produces more semen as does carrots, pine kernels, chick-peas, sparrow meat and fresh milk.

Memory
Currants and milk are good for the memory.