FENUGREEK – HULBAH
It is reported that Prophet Muhammad Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam once said "If my people knew what there is in Fenugreek, they would have bought and paid it weight in gold."

Fenugreek seeds are also known for its anti-diabetic property. They are also considered excellent to treat arthritis and to reduce blood cholesterol. They also increase breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Fenugreek contains natural expectorant properties and is considered ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion. It also helps in loosening and removing excess mucus and phlegm. The mucilage content of the seeds help to cure external boils, burns and ulcers.

What are the Benefits of Fenugreek?
Due to its oestrogen-like properties, fenugreek has been found to help increase libido and lessen the effect of hot flashes and mood fluctuations that are common symptoms of menopause and PMS. In India and China it has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, increase libido and male potency, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. Fenugreek also has a long history of use for the treatment of reproductive disorders, to induce labour, to treat hormonal disorders, to help with breast enlargement, and to reduce menstrual pain. Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Fenugreek is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.

Uses of Fenugreek
Home Remedy for Balancing Cholesterol
Studies have found people who took 2 ounces (56g) of fenugreek seed each day had significantly (around 14 percent) lower cholesterol levels after 24 weeks, and had lowered their risk of heart attack by more than 25 percent. Therefore, a recommended remedy for lowering cholesterol is to take 2 ounces of Fenugreek seeds throughout the day. The seeds can be sprinkled onto prepared food, or they can be consumed with water if they are in capsule form.

Treating Diabetes and Lowering Blood Sugar Levels
Studies have shown that participants with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower blood sugar levels after eating fenugreek. Therefore, a recommended home remedy for treating Type 2 diabetes is to consume 500mg of fenugreek twice daily.

Herbal Cure for Skin Inflammation
Research has shown that Fenugreek is an effective topical treatment for skin problems such as abscesses, boils, burns, eczema, and gout. Therefore, a simple skin inflammation remedy is the following:

Take a spoonful of fenugreek and grind it into a powder.
Mix the ground fenugreek with warm water.
Take a simple piece of clean cloth and soak it into the mixture.
Apply the soaked cloth directly onto the affected skin as a poultice.
Natural Cure for Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Fenugreek seeds contain a lot of mucilage, which helps sooth gastrointestinal inflammation by coating the lining of the stomach and intestine. Therefore, for an effective remedy against heartburn or Acid Reflux, simply sprinkle 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds onto your food. Another option is to take one teaspoon of Fenugreek seeds and swallow them with water or juice before any meal.

Home Remedy for Fever
The Fenugreek herb has been known to help reduce fever when taken with lemon and honey, since it nourishes the body during an illness. Therefore, to treat a fever, simply consume one to two teaspoons of Fenugreek seeds three times a day along with an herbal tea (such as green tea) with a teaspoon of honey and lemon juice. Some health food stores also sell herbal Fenugreek teas, which can be used instead of the green tea.

Remedy to Ease Child Birth for Pregnant Women
Fenugreek stimulates uterine contractions and can be helpful to induce childbirth. However, pregnant women should only use Fenugreek for inducing labour after consulting with their doctor.

Remedy to Aid Milk Production in Lactating Women
Fenugreek has been known to increase milk production in lactating women. Research has even shown that milk production can increase by over 500 percent within 24 to 72 hours after consuming fenugreek. Although it is not known why this happens, researchers speculate that the oil contained in fenugreek seeds plays a role. Therefore, a recommended remedy to increase milk flow is to consume one capsule of fenugreek seed (at least 500mg) three times a day.

Fenugreek seeds are also known for their Coriander ( habb al-suda )
the most respected book of traditions state that the Prophet Muhammad Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “Make yours the seed of coriander, for it is a cure of all diseases except swelling [cancer], and that is a fatal disease.” It is also reported ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala informed the Prophet, Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam “She has been given everything.” And then ALLAH revealed that “she” is coriander. Coriander alleviates flatulence and resolves fevers. It is effective in the treatment of leukoderma, and it opens the subtlest networks of the veins. Excess moisture in the body is dried up by the coriander, and it increases milk flow, urine, and menses. It is particularly useful when a person has cold. The oil of coriander is a treatment for baldness and scalp problems, and prevents grey hair. The smoke of the burning seeds is an insect repellent.

HENNA
One Hadith reports that nothing is dearer to ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'alathan Henna. The holy Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam recommended it for many conditions : bruises, pain in the legs, infection of nails, burns, and to beautify the hair. Henna is noted for its great heat and its ability to excite the passion of love. The perfume made from Henna flowers is considered to be one of the finest in the world. The dyeing of hands, nails, and feet is a common practice in the East, especially for weddings and feasts.

HONEY – ASAL
ALLAH has said, “There comes forth, from within [the bee], a beverage of many colours in which there is a healing for you.” Mixed with warm water, and taken in several small doses, honey is considered the best remedy for diarrhoea. The Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallamonce said, “By HIM in whose hand is my soul, eat honey. For there is no house in which honey is kept for the angels will not ask for mercy. If a person eats honey, a thousand remedies enter his stomach and a million diseases will come out. If a man dies and honey is found within him, fire [burning of hell] will not touch his body.” The prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam himself used to drink a glass of honey and water each morning on an empty stomach

MELON – BATTIKH
said the Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam: "Whenever you eat fruit, eat melon, because it is the fruit of Paradise and contains a thousand blessings and a thousand mercies. The eating of it cures every disease. None of your women who are pregnant and eat of watermelon will fail to produce offspring who are good in countenance and good in character." The Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam took melons with fresh dates.

CITRON – UTRAJJ
The Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said, "The citron is like a true believer: good to taste and good to smell." Citron strengthens the heart, dispels sadness, removes freckles, satisfies hunger, and slows the flow of bile. The wife of the Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam used to treat blind persons with citron dipped in honey. Citron is best taken about ten minutes after conclusion of meals.

POMEGRANATE
Sweet pomegranate are preferred over the sour. The juice stems coughs. All kinds of pomegranate settle palpitations of the heart. Hazrat Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said that the light of ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala is in the heart of whoever eats pomegranate. It is also reported that one who eats three pomegranates in the course of a year will be inoculated against ophthalmic for that year. Said the Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam : Pomegranate "cleanses you of Satan and from evil aspirations for forty days."

11 Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

several recent studies have shown significant potential health benefits from drinking pomegranate juice. Here are eleven:

1.Fights Breast Cancer
Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

2. Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

3. Slows Prostate Cancer
it slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

4. Keeps PSA Levels Stable
In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

5. Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

6. Prevention of Osteoarthritis
several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

7. Protects the Arteries
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque build-up.

8. Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloidal plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

9. Lowers Cholesterol
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

10. Lowers Blood Pressure
one study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

11. Dental Protection
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Other Health Benefits – Pomegranate

The Pomegranate has been touted as a super fruit due to its amazing health properties. This is because Pomegranates are rich in Potassium, folic acid, Vitamins (rich in Vitamin C) and Antioxidants called polyphenols (some studies suggest that they contain 3 times more antioxidants than red wine or green tea).

Antioxidants are chemical substances which help in the prevention of cellular damage (said to be a common pathway for cancer, heart problems, aging, and a variety of diseases) and are the main reason for the big obsession.

Much research has been done to show that Pomegranates may be able to reduce blood pressure, LDL cholesterol build up and even slow down prostate cancer.

VINEGAR
The Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallamwas reported to have once remarked that vinegar was the seasoning of all the prophets who came before him. Vinegar is both cold and hot, nearly balancing between the two. Mixed it with rose water, it is an excellent remedy for toothache and headache. Vinegar dissolves phlegm. Another Hadith states that a house containing vinegar will never suffer from poverty.

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.

THYME
In the time of the Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam, it was customary to fumigate houses by burning frankincense and thyme. Thyme is cold and dry in the third degree. An excellent digestive aid to heavy foods, thyme beautifies the complexion, annuls intestinal gas, and benefits coldness of the stomach and liver. When drunk as an infusion, it is said to kill tapeworms

Thyme – Zatar

Thyme is “zaatar” in Arabic. Thyme is most popularly used as one of the main ingredients in the spice mix named after it – Zaatar. This mixed zaatar is actually a mix of sumac berries and zataar, however, plain zaatar is also readily available in the Middle East and has many uses that you may not have thought about.

Thyme is a vermifuge and daily consumption of it helps keep worms and other parasites from dwelling in your body. You can eat or drink the tea for this purpose.  Eating “mixed zaatar” on a daily basis may not be a bad idea! Especially if you live in a place where you are unsure of water quality or cleanliness.

Eating Zaatar on bread helps you digest the heaviness of the bread and prevents many digestive and allergic reactions related to bread.

A Hadith related by Ibn al-Juzi states that “They fumigated their houses with thyme and frankincense. “This is because thyme is a fantastic anti-fungal, anti-botic, anti-septic, and anti-microbial agent. It also repels insects. So if you have any illness in the house or any problem spots in your house or yard – think of thyme. A cleverly placed thyme bush is a good addition to any garden.

Drinking the green leafy tea also has many health benefits. A few cups a day will ease menstrual cramps as well as relieve the tenseness and moodiness that often accompanies PMS (or the “MS” itself). Thyme tea is also helpful for stomach problems as well as coughs and fever.

Thyme tea is a wonderfully pleasant tea for children’s coughs as they delight in the flavour. It is also said to alleviate whooping cough and nightmares. It helps in the elimination of phlegm, relieves any pain that may accompany the illness and calms a child’s nerves.

You can also use it for a mild sore throat (for a severe sore throat spray a couple drops of the essential oil  mixed with water or herbal tea directly on your throat) and post nasal drip.

QUINCE
it is said that to eat Quince on an empty stomach is good for the soul. Cold and dry, Quince is astringent to the stomach, and it checks excessive menstrual flow. A few seeds placed in water will, after a few minutes, form mucilage which is an excellent remedy for cough and sore throat, especially in the young. Quince is also excellent for pregnant woman, gladdening their heart. The holy Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam said, "Eat Quince, for it sweetens the heart. For ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala has sent no Prophet as HIS messenger without feeding him on the Quince of Paradise. For Quince increases the strength up to that of forty men."

Quince, belonging to the same family as apples and pears, is regarded as their distant relative.

Being rich in dietary fibre, quince is good for the people who are trying to lose weight.
Quince boasts of antioxidant properties, which helps the body fight against free radicals and reduces the risk of cancer.
Researches have revealed that quinces might be rich in various anti-viral properties.
Consumption of quince has been found to be beneficial for people suffering from gastric ulcer.
It is believed that eating quince is good for maintaining the optimum health of an individual.
Regular consumption of quince not only aids in digestion, but also helps lower cholesterol.
The presence of potassium in quince helps in the lowering of high blood pressure.
Vitamin C present in quince helps reduce the risk of heart disease in individuals.

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