In Bukhari (Volume 7: Book 65), Aisha R.A. narrates that, "Allah's Apostle S.A.W used to love sweet edible things and honey." He also attributed many healing powers to honey. The Holy Qur’an (16:69) says, "From its [the bee’s] belly, comes forth a drink of varying colours wherein is a cure for people. Surely there is a sign for those who would give thought."

Honey is not just a sugar, but also a complex combination of enzymes, organic acids, esters, antibiotic agents, trace minerals, and yet unidentified components! One pound of honey contains 1.4 grams of protein, 23 milligrams of calcium, 73 milligrams of phosphorus, 4.1 milligrams of iron, 1 milligram of niacin and 16 milligrams of vitamin C. Honey has been attributed externally with healing wounds and burns, and making the skin supple and smooth. Internally, honey is a cure-all, with specific benefits for the digestive system and as a tonic for general health and well-being.

 
Olive Oil

The Prophet S.A.W. also advised us to, "Use olive oil as a food and ointment for it comes from a blessed tree" (Tirmidi).

Everyone knows that animal fats contain saturated fatty acids that vertically increase blood cholesterol levels. But mono-unsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil, control LDL levels while raising HDL levels. In fact, no other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic acid) as olive oil.

Olive oil also contains vitamins E and K, and polyphenols, which provide a defence mechanism that delays aging and prevents carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis, liver disorders, and inflammations. Oleates in the oil also promote bone formation in children and protect the bones of the elderly. The National Cancer Institute reported that olive oil offers strong protection in the fight against breast cancer.

Another astonishing topical use for olive oil is arthritis. Patients suffering from arthritis sometimes claim that the oil, when rubbed into the sore spot, instantly relieves the pain, and these results are long-lasting ones. Muscular tensions can also be erased by rubbing in olive oil. The results are instant and remarkable.

Olive oil can prevent skin cancer, help you lose weight, prevent heart attacks and strokes, (by thinning the blood) and boost your good cholesterol while lowering the bad cholesterol, prevent ear aches and infections, soften calluses, relieve irritated skin around the eyes, heal frostbite, flatten wrinkles, strengthen weak fingernails, reduce scarring, treat indigestion, heal stomach ulcers, and jelly fish stings, rejuvenate damaged hearing, soften rough skin, and reverse hair loss.

 
Salt

Contrary to popular modern belief, salt is also a beneficial condiment. The Prophet S.A.W. said, "Salt is the master of your food. Allah sent down four blessings from the sky – fire, water, iron and salt" (Ibn Maja).

Doctors often recommend replacing water and salt lost during exercise and when working outside in jobs such as agriculture. Increased salt intakes have been used successfully to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well.

Cutting down on salt in your diet will do your body a lot of good, but it's surprisingly useful in other walks of life.

1. Pick up a dropped egg. Strange but true: if an egg breaks on the kitchen floor, sprinkle salt on the mess and leave it there for 20 minutes. You'll be able to wipe it right up.

2. Soothe a bee sting. Wet the sting right away, and then cover it with salt (it's as effective and no more likely to sting than many over-the-counter remedies

3. Clean up oven spillages. If food boils over onto the oven floor, sprinkle salt on top to stop smoke and odour from forming. When the oven is cool, it'll be easy to brush away the spot.

4. Set colour. If you're worried about a dye running, soak the garment for an hour in 1/2 gallon of water to which you've added 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup salt. If rinse water shows colour, repeat.

5. Test for rotten eggs. Put an egg in a cup of water to which you've added two teaspoons of salt (the detail so many people forget!). A fresh egg will sink, but one that's rotten will float.

6. Clean the brown spots off the bottom of your iron. Sprinkle salt on a sheet of waxed paper, slide the iron across it, then rub lightly with silver polish.

7. Soothe away scratches, rashes and cuts on the skin by adding as much or as little salt to your bath as you want. This is also an excellent method for relieving and shrinking the embarrassing problem of haemorrhoids/piles.

8. Clean tea and coffee stains from china cups: Simply rub them with salt.

Vinegar
Prophet Muhammad (saw – may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) liked vinegar. Modern medicine also acknowledge its anti-cough, anti-inflammation and digestive properties

Jabir (ra – may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah (saw), peace be upon him, took me one day with him to his house. He was served some bread. He asked: `Is there any dip?’ They replied ‘No, only some vinegar.’ He said, ‘Vinegar is a good dip.'
Jabir (ra) used to say, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Allah’s Prophet (saw)”. And Talhah ibn Naf’a (ra) said, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jabir.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasaa’i)
 
What is Vinegar and why is it a Good Dip?

Vinegar is made by fermenting the juice of sweet fruits and grains such as barley, apple and grape.. Its colour and tastes differ depending on its base.
Vinegar contains small amounts of protein and starch. 100g of vinegar has only 16 calories. It also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, zinc and chlorine but it has no vitamins.

Ibn Seena wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon fit Tibb (the Law of Medicine), that vinegar is a powerful clotting agent. If poured on an external wound, it will stop the bleeding and prevent swelling. It aids digestion and is an expectorant. It helps with felons (inflammation of the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a kind of skin inflammation). It acts quickly on burns. When mixed with old and applied to the head, it helps with headaches caused by heat. It strengthens gums. It is an appetizer and aids digestion.

Vinegar treatment in External Injuries

vinegar has many beneficial uses. Some are:

To treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic) substances.

To help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to the forehead this is soaked with vinegar and water.

To cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease caused due to intake of antibiotics like penicillin, tetracycline by using vinegar once or twice daily for a week.

To soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis by applying a pad soaked with vinegar and water to painful joints.

To treat bee and jellyfish stings by applying a mixture of equal amounts of salt and vinegar to the sting, relieving the pain and preventing inflammation.

Cider Vinegar
Cider vinegar is known for its ability to cure several diseases. It helps in treating joint pain, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), asthma and gastric disorders and is helps in losing weight.”

Slight cases of diarrhoea are a way by which the body gets rid of harmful substances that enter the digestive system.. It should be taken as one to two tea spoons of vinegar in a glass of boiled or mineral water several times a day.

Vinegar is anti-Microbial

Complete Nutrition also states. “Vinegar performs the role of disinfectant for the intestines. Some people advise it to be used for gargle for the mouth and throat. It disinfects the inside of the mouth from germs. The usual dosage for gargle is to mix one to three tea spoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water, in morning and at night.”

“We always have to remember that cider vinegar will not have the same effect on everyone. Some may benefit from it and some may not. Very few people may be allergic to vinegar. Nevertheless vinegar is beneficial for the majority of people.

The Prophet Muhammed S.A.W.  said, “ A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty (they will not be hungry)”. Narrated by Umm Hani, Tirmidhi, Baihaqi.

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Ammarah
Radio Islam
+27118547022
ammarah@radioislam.co.za
www.radioislam.co.za