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

Specific foods
Olives and Olive oil
When olive oil is used as a balm, it fortifies the hair. It is good for the limbs, and combatting old age. Drinking the oil is beneficial in cases of poisoning. It keeps the bowels on the move, soothes pains and expels worms in the stomach.

Honey
Allah Almighty states:
‘…There comes from their bellies a drink of many colours in which there is healing for mankind’ (Surah An-Nahl, 16: 69)

Ibn Maja reports that Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

‘Whoever eats honey three times a month will not meet any great disaster.’

He also said: ‘You have two medicines: honey and the Qur’an.’

Honey combats diarrhoea, especially when it is mixed with warm water to drink. It strengthens the stomach and stimulates the appetite. Honey is good for the aged and for those who suffer from phlegm.

It is a great preserver: it is said that it can preserve meat for up to six months. When used as a mouthwash, it protects the health of the gums and whitens the teeth. Eating honey on an empty stomach removes a depraved appetite and clears blockages of the liver, kidney and bladder. It should be used as a substitute for sugar.

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to drink a cup of water containing honey on an empty stomach every day. Al-Suyuti writes that ‘this is a tremendously prudent thing to do to preserve one’s health.[1] In short, it is a great cure for our illnesses. In al-Suyuti’s words, ‘it is the food of foods, the drink of drinks and the medicine of medicines.’

As much as possible, Muslims should seek real honey from the shops, as opposed to synthetic honey.

Pistachio nuts
The outer red skin stops vomiting and diarrhoea. It is said that if a person eats pistachio nut kernels with egg yolk, then it gives vitality and fortifies the heart. [2]

Cucumbers
Cucumbers are best when they are ripe. It cools down heat. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was instructed to eat cucumbers to increase her weight.[3]

Pumpkins
It relieves coughs and it is the best food for anyone with a fever. In a hadith recorded by Imam Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that pumpkins ‘stimulate the intellect and the brain.’ [4]

Parsley
This stimulates sexual intercourse, for both men and women. It has been said that whoever eats parsley before sleeping will have sweet-smelling breath and be free from toothaches. [5]

Currants
Currants drive away fatigue, calm down anger, sharpen the nerves, expel phlegm and clear up the complexion.[6]

Milk
Allah Almighty says:
‘…pure milk, tasting good to those who drink it’ (Surah An-Nahl, 16:66).

This suggests that we should use genuine, raw milk as much as possible.

Imam Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
‘Let whoever is given milk by Allah say, ‘May the blessing of Allah be in it, and may He give us more of it, for I know that there is no better food or drink that can take its place.’

Milk purifies the body, increases semen and stimulates sexual intercourse, relaxes the bowels, relieves depression and stimulates the brain. When taken with sugar, milk improves the complexion and results in plumpness. It also alleviates minor itching and scabies. It also improves the memory.

However it should be avoided by whoever has a headache or a fever. Ibn Abbas reports in a hadith recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to rinse his mouth out after drinking milk, saying that the fat in the milk was bad for those who suffered from fever and headache.[7]

Other foods and their qualities
Meat

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
‘And We provide them with whatever fruit and meat that they desire.’ (Surah At-tur, 52:22).

Ibn Maja writes that Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The heart rejoices in eating meat.’

Meat is good for the eyesight and it multiplies the strength.[8] We should try to use organic meat.

Coconut
Coconut increases sexual potency and is good for back pains. [9]

Mint
Mint fortifies the stomach, stops the hiccups and helps sexual intercourse.

Along with practicing the medicine of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), we should also have faith in it. Only then will it cure us. Abu Sa’id (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: ‘Truly my brother’s stomach is upset.’ The Prophet replied; ‘Make him have some honey.’ So the man’s brother went away. He re-appeared some time later and said: ‘I have given it him to eat, but he is not any better.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave him the same advice to give him some honey. The same thing happened twice more. On both the third and fourth occasion, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Allah is the truth and the belly of your brother has lied!’ So the man gave his brother honey to consume once again and he was finally cured (Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari).[10]