The Omentum

“The Omentum (Latin for "apron") is a medical term referring to layers of peritoneum that surround abdominal organs … The greater omentum … is a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach … The greater omentum is larger than the lesser omentum, which hangs down from the liver to the lesser curvature.” (Wikipedia)

“The common anatomical term "epiploic" derives from "epiploon", from the Greek epipleein, meaning to float or sail on, since the greater omentum appears to float on the surface of the intestines.” (Wikipedia)

There’s an interesting, graphic, comparison of a healthy omentum and a not-so-healthy one here:

The omentum has, amongst other things, immune functions using white filters called milky spots for the surrounding fluids. These milky spots are very small white-coloured areas of lymphoid tissue.

A June 2017 review by the University of Alabama reported that, “the fluid around the abdominal organs doesn't just sit there, it circulates through the milky spots …Milky spots collect cells, antigens, and bacteria before deciding what's going to happen immunologically."

Galen states, “It is in this way, therefore, that the stomach, when it is in need of nourishment and the animal has nothing to eat, seizes it from the veins in the liver. Also in the case of the spleen we have shown in a former passage[384] how it draws all material from the liver that tends to be thick, and by working it up converts it into more useful matter. There is nothing surprising, therefore, if, in the present instance also, some of this should be drawn from the spleen into such organs as communicate with it by veins, _e.g._ the omentum, mesentery, small intestine, colon, and the stomach itself. Nor is it surprising that the spleen should disgorge its surplus matters into the stomach at one time, while at another time it should draw some of its appropriate nutriment from the stomach.” (our italics)

Ayurvedic medicine has it as secondary tissue, upadhaatu, as part of fat tissue, medodhatu, that which supports and nourishes the fatty tissue, as part of lubrication and energy storage. Part of the element of water.

Dr Louis Gordon ventured that the omentum may the gut of the brain.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine the brain is the “sea of marrow”.  It may be possible to see the omentum as the stomach’s “sea of marrow” and also connected to the Triple Warmer meridian.

Image

Dr. Johannes Sobotta [Public domain]

Avoid Pouring Boiling Water on Honey

In Galen’s “On the Natural Faculties”, he says,

“And if you will boil honey itself, far the sweetest of all things, you can demonstrate that even this becomes quite bitter. For what may occur as a result of boiling in the case of other articles which are not warm by nature, exists naturally in honey; for this reason it does not become sweeter on being boiled, since exactly the same quantity of heat as is needed for the production of sweetness exists from beforehand in the honey.

“Therefore the external heat, which would be useful for insufficiently warm substances, becomes in the honey a source of damage, in fact an excess; and it is for this reason that honey, when boiled, can be demonstrated to become bitter sooner than the others.”

Unani Tibb Medicine – From Galen to Avicenna

In his Introduction to Galen’s “On the Natural Faculties”, Arthur John Brock, the translator noted that,

“Greek medicine spread, with general Greek culture, throughout Syria, and from thence was … eventually spread to the [Muslim] world. Several of the Prophet’s [peace be upon him] successors (such as the Caliphs Harun-al-Rashid and Abdul-Rahman III) were great patrons of Greek learning, and especially of medicine. The Arabian scholars imbibed Aristotle and Galen with avidity.”

“Avicenna (Ibn Sina), (10th to 11th century) is the foremost name in Arabian medicine: his “Book of the Canon in Medicine,” when translated into Latin, even overshadowed the authority of Galen himself for some four centuries. Of this work [it was said]: “Avicenna, according to his lights, imparted to contemporary medical science the appearance of almost mathematical accuracy…””

Image

"Clorion"/Scan by NLM [Public domain]

Unani Tibb Medicine – the Foundation and the Apex

In his Introduction to Galen’s “On the Natural Faculties”, Arthur John Brock, the translator, noted that,

“If the work of Hippocrates be taken as representing the foundation upon which the edifice of historical Greek medicine was reared, then the work of Galen, who lived some six hundred years later, may be looked upon as the summit or apex of the same edifice. Galen’s merit is to have crystallised or brought to a focus all the best work of the Greek medical schools which had preceded his own time. It is essentially in the form of Galenism that Greek medicine was transmitted to after ages.”

And perhaps one can say, below that foundation, an ancient admonition to the medical practitioners,

“Be [as] wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

To Hippocrates,

“a disease was essentially a process, one and indivisible, and thus his practical problem was essentially one of prognosis, “what will be the natural course of this disease, if left to itself?””

And so,

“Observation taught Hippocrates to place unbounded faith in the recuperative powers of the living organism —in what we sometimes call nowadays the ‘vis medicatrix Naturae’ [written in 1916, so, what we would now call “the healing power of nature” and in Tibb as “physis” or “tabiya”]. His observation was that even with a very considerable “abnormality” of environmental stress the organism, in the large majority of cases, manages eventually by its own inherent powers to adjust itself to the new conditions. “Merely give Nature a chance,” said the father of medicine in effect, “and most diseases will cure themselves.” And accordingly, his treatment was mainly directed towards “giving Nature a chance.””

Image

"Clorion"/Scan by NLM [Public domain]

The Angry Person

Avicenna, The Canon of Medicine, said,

“An angry person gives out a definite atmosphere a feeling of being "on edge." The effect on bystanders depends on their dominant emotional state; in some it provokes quarrelsomeness in others perplexity owing to the discovery that the person is unapproachable. Silence and appropriate interior exercises are indicated.”

“Angry words produce mental "sores"; they may heal, or they may be kept going or they may be re-opened, or become incurable. An outburst of anger may be provoked by a clash of interests. These vary widely.”

“Thus, two wills may clash; the function of one organ may clash with that of another (e.g. menstrual irritability or outburst of temper); clash of duty with self-will. The intensity of the outburst is according to the principle of jelal-jemal.”

The leaves of Saussurea (Costus)(Mu Xiang) for Bone Health

In a November 2017 study by the Institute of Medicine, Kant Baltic Federal University it was stated, “The isolated components have antimicrobial and regenerative properties. Our plan is to participate in the development of a medicinal drug for comprehensive treatment of bone diseases and injuries associated with the risk of infectious complications. Plant materials are less toxic. They can be administered as regular pills making the treatment much easier,"

As-Suyuti on Drinking Water

As-Suyuti, in “Medicine of the Prophet” [pbuh] said,

• “Never toss down water with a single gulp, for a disease called al-Kabar is caused by such swallowing. Al-Bayhaqi explains that al-Kabar means ‘pain in the liver’ and ‘a single gulp’ means ‘swallowing by great gulps’.”

• “Anas reports the tradition that the Prophet used to take three breaths with each drink and used to say that it thereby became more satisfying, more health-giving, and more thirst-quenching. Anas added: I also used to take three breaths in a similar manner. Muslim extracted this saying.”

• “Abu Nu‘aim too reports the tradition that whenever the Prophet took a drink (Sharab), he would pause three times for breath, calling upon the name of God when he began and praising Him during the pause.”  

Approaches to Health Strategies #4 As-Suyuti Part 2

As-Suyuti, in “Medicine of the Prophet” [pbuh] said,

“The most experienced doctors use medications that contain one ingredient, the medication should be similar or related to regular foods that the patient is used to eating. Cultures that consume one or only a few types of food in their regular diet, generally suffer from few illnesses, they should not use compound medicines.”

“Those who live in cities and whose diets are complex need medicines that are a mixture of several substances or ingredients, as these are the types of medicines that most suit their illnesses.”

“The ailments of the people who live in the deserts are usually simple and thus simple medications are suitable for them. These arguments entail facts that are known in the medical profession.”

Approaches to Health Strategies #3 As-Suyuti Part 1

As-Suyuti, in “Medicine of the Prophet” [pbuh] said, “The medical authorities agree that whenever an illness could be fought with nourishment and diet, then medicine should be avoided. In addition, they agree that whenever it is possible to use only one substance or ingredient as a remedy, a compound remedy should not be used. They agree that the body will be harmed if doctors over prescribe medicine. This is because the remedy might not find an illness to cure, or might find an illness that it cannot cure, or might be suitable for the illness, but an excess dose may be given, thereby compromising the health of the body.”

More on Chicory - Hindaba - Kasni

Ibn Jawziyyah says,

• “Hindaba temperament changes according to the season. It is cold and wet in winter, hot and dry in summer and mild in spring and autumn. In general, Hindaba is cold and dry. Hindaba is beneficial and cools the stomach and causes constipation.”

• “When Hindaba, especially wild Hindaba, is cooked and eaten with vinegar, it constipates even more and is more favourable for the stomach and invigorating. [It] strengthens the stomach and opens the clogs in the kidneys, spleen, veins and intestines. It … clears and purifies the kidneys and helps them against the various hot and cold aches.”

• “The sour Hindaba is the best for the liver, while its extract helps against (jaundice), especially when mixed with wet fennel extract. [It] cleanses and clears the chest and dissipates the heat of irritated blood and bile.”

 

Eating Lamb Kidneys and Liver

We advised a particular client to eat more lamb kidneys given his particular state of health. He said he had heard that it is makruh or haram.  We disagreed. 

“It says in al-Mudawwanah: that which may be included with meat, such as fat, liver, stomach, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, neck, testicles, feet, head and the like, comes under the same ruling as meat.[i.e. it is halal]” 

Tahdheeb al-Mudawwanah by al-Baraadha‘i (1/93). See also Mawaahib al-Jaleel (6/204) 

Source

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/126343/ruling-on-eating-the-testicles-of-halal-slaughtered-animals-and-eating-crabs

Opposites

And Suyyuti said, “Let a man eat cold foods in summer and hot in winter. The partaking of one meal upon another is harmful. So is exercise after a meal. But exercise before a meal is best of all, just as when taken after it is the worst of all.”

“Hot food should be corrected with cold, sweet with sour, fat with salt, and astringent with fat. To have many kinds of food excites the constitution of a man. To eat with relish is the best of all.”

“To have the same food several times and to eat with speed produces a loss of appetite and engenders laziness. A very sour food hurries on old age.”

“The frequent eating of sweet food relaxes the sexual desires and makes the body feverish. Salt food dries up and emaciates the body.”

Health is a Hidden Kingdom

Suyyuti said, “Among the wise sayings of the Prophet David are the following: Health is a hidden kingdom. And again: Sadness for one hour ages a man by one year. And again: Health is a crown on the heads of the healthy, only seen by the sick. And again: Health is an invisible luxury.”

The Common Cold as the Cure

Is the cold a cure for greater illnesses?

It was of great interest to see this idea supported in a recent 2019 study by Surrey University and Royal Surrey County Hospital in which it was said "Traditionally viruses have been associated with illness however in the right situation they can improve our overall health and wellbeing by destroying cancerous cells. Oncolytic viruses such as the coxsackievirus could transform the way we treat cancer and could signal a move away from more established treatments such as chemotherapy."

Constipation - Qabz - Imsak-ul-Batan

Constipation, Qabz, Husr, Ehtebaas-al- batan, Eátaqaal-al- batan, Ehtabas-al- tabiya, Eátaqaal-al- tabiya  and Imsaak-ul- batan

The home of disease and the mother of disease

The Arabs of old said, “The stomach is the home of disease and restraint is the basis of the remedy.” There is also an old saying that “constipation is the mother of all diseases”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.”

The Cause of constipation

The National Health Portal India states that, “According to Unani Medicine, constipation (qabz) is caused by intake of less quantity of food, consumption of constipative and flatulent diets, decreased repulsive force or increased retensive force of intestine, weakened intestinal sensation and muscles, excessive absorption of chyme by the liver, decreased flow of secretions towards intestine and weakened heat of stomach and intestine…” and is a result of a “faulty lifestyle and wrong dietary pattern. Causes like untimely, unbalanced food habits, irregular sleeping habits, and low physical exercise are few of them. It is also mentioned that constipation is the mother of all diseases. It causes gastritis, piles, duodenal ulcer and severe abdominal pain.”

Diagnosing Constipation

 In June 2019 research by King's College London it was reported that

1. The “public's perception of constipation differs drastically from that of doctors' and from the formal diagnosis guidelines.”

2. “Currently prescription medication for constipation fails in nearly 60% of patients and almost half report not being satisfied with their treatment.”

3. “Nearly one in three "healthy" patients were … clinically constipated but did not recognise it.”

4. “The study also highlighted six key symptom clusters which were commonly agreed upon across the study groups: abdominal discomfort, pain and bloating; rectal discomfort; infrequent bowel movements and hard stools; sensory dysfunction; flatulence and bloating; fecal incontinence.”

Recommendations

• Drink more water.

• Do more exercise.

• Walk or do light exercise in the open air in the morning.

• Take a hot bath on an empty stomach.

• Eat radishes, turnips, peas, carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, sprouts, coriander, cabbage, and mint.

• Eat avocados, guava, mangoes, oranges, papaya, and grapes.

• Eat dried figs, almonds, apricots, and dates.

• Drink apple-pear juice.

• Eat stewed prunes, figs, and dates.

• Chew food properly.

• Drink more soup.

• At the end of meal, eat watermelon, mangoes, and cucumber.

• Eat honey and lentils.

• Reduce bread, white flour, biscuits, preserves, sugar, cakes, pasta, pizzas, burgers, cookies.

• Avoid fast foods, coffee and strong tea, fried foods, oily and junk foods.

• Avoid boiled eggs, cheese and yoghurt.

• Avoid spices, fats, and excessive salt. 

Sunnah Dates in March 2019

North Africa - Europe - UK - Saudi Arabia

Sunday 24 March 2019

Tuesday 26 March 2019

Thursday 28 March 2019

. 

Belching, Yawning and Gasping

According to Tibb, Chishti in "The Traditional Healers Handbook" says, “These are caused by excess gas. Use a purgative and correct digestion. Relief of gas can be had from ground anise in rose water or honey.”

Suyuti says of endive (Arabic: Hindiba) “The endive changes its temperament according to the season. In summer it is hot, in winter cold. Its powers fall to naught at the end of each season. It prevents both hot and cold diseases of the liver. It causes to disappear the flatulence produced by vinegar and by sugar. It is used in decoctions and in the syrup of dodder. A traditional saying is as follows: Eat endives and do not belch, for verily there is not one single day that drops of the water of Paradise do not fall upon them. So says Abu Nu’im.”

Sauna and Hot Tub for Type 2 Diabetes & Obesity

A 2015 study by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre and the Regional University of Northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil concluded that, “Heat therapy is a promising and inexpensive tool for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. … We suggest that heat therapy (sauna: 80–1008C; hot tub: at 408C) for 15 min, three times a week, for 3 months, is a safe method to test its efficiency.”

Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) appears to play a part in improving “…insulin signaling, body composition, endothelial dysfunction, and the low-grade inflammation found in people with diabetes.”

Fasting boosts metabolism

A January 2019 study at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Kyoto University suggests that, “going without food may … boost human metabolic activity, generate antioxidants, and help reverse some effects of aging.”

One of the authors of the study, Dr Takayuki Teruya said, “Contrary to the original expectation, it turned out that fasting induced metabolic activation rather actively.”  

A study by the G0 Cell Unit and Kyoto University researchers suggests that fasting, which puts the body in “starvation mode,” leads to fuel substitution, antioxidation, increased mitochondrial activation and altered signal transduction. 

The study suggests that, “…during fasting, the tiny powerhouses running every cell are thrown into overdrive.”

Shilajeet

Known by a multitude of names across the world: shilajeet,   shilajit, salajeet, mumijo, mumiyo, mumiya, mum, mumio, momia, moomiyo, mountain tar, rock-tar,  mineral pitch, mineral wax, black asphaltum, asphaltum punjabianum, shargai, dorobi, barahshin, baragshun mummenayyee, tasmayi, chao-tong, wu ling zhi*, badha-naghay, baad-a-ghee, arkhar-tash, mumiyo.

It is a blackish brown organic mass from the Himalayas used in indigenous India medicine in the ayurveda and unani tibb medical systems.

Al-Himaidi and Umar in, “Safe Use of Salajeet During the Pregnancy of Female Mice.” in the Journal of Biological Sciences (2003) “It has been used for ages in traditional medicines in the treatment of bronchial asthma, diabetes, genito-urinary infection, wound healing and nerve disorder (citing Chopra, et al 1976)”

Notes

*Listed, based on a Wikipedia entry. However, in Chinese Medicine the name Wu Ling Zhi is flying squirrel excrement – not halal – and Bensky and Gamble cite a different latin name, exrementum trogopteri seu pteroma, so it is probably not shilajeet.

Image

Valentin [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons