UAE | Health
Modern medicines with an ancient base
Several healing techniques used by Gulf inhabitants since time immemorial are still in use today.
- By Fatma Salem, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:43 June 5, 2009
- Samples of healing herbs, which were used by Gulf residents for several generations, are seen in Ajman Museum.
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Dubai: For generations, people living in the Gulf region used traditional healing techniques to successfully treat different ailments commonly found in the harsh desert landscape.
The environment of the UAE, rich in therapeutic herbs and plants, and the traditional diet of dates and yoghurt also had a great impact on the methods and techniques used in Bedouin medical treatments.
Several techniques mentioned in ancient Arabic medicine books have been translated into other languages and many of these, such as circumcision, cupping and orthopaedic treatment of fractures, are still in use today.
Medicine was not merely about the treatment of physical ailments. Traditionally, the Bedouin medicine woman played an essential role in bringing rural communities together.
The medicine woman held a special position of trust and respect. The community would share with her their concerns, stories and problems - safe in the knowledge that she would listen and advise with complete discretion.
Many Emirati medicine women became renowned for their patience and knowledge of healing. Some of the most famous include Aisha Bint Ali Bin Dalmook, Aisha Bint Saeed Bin Hlul and Hamda Bint Ahmad.
These women made invaluable contributions to their communities by treating different kinds of wounds, sores and diseases, especially cancerous cases using herbs and cauterisation techniques.
Gulf residents used herbs and plants available in the region, India, Iran and Africa to cure patients. Herbal treatments consisted of either a single medication or a combination of many therapeutic ingredients.
Thyme was used for toothache, stomach-ache and indigestion. This herb was known for its healing components that cure over 77 diseases. Sheeh was used for stomach-ache, fever and diabetes. Rue was used for headache, sciatica and bleeding. Conjunctivitis was treated with kermes and colds by drinking boiled thyme.
Fractures were treated with a topical application made by combining turmeric, salt, egg whites and ghazrot. The paste would be applied to the fracture prior to fitting a traditional wooden plaster cast.
Traditional healers believed that most diseases were the result of accumulated impurities inside the body, which meant that fevers were treated with a drink specially formulated to flush impurities from the digestive system.
Herbal medicines were even used in the treatment of gunshot wounds.
On the other end of the spectrum of traditional medicines dwelt the 'Mutawa' or faith healer. The Mutawa used Quranic verses and prayers to cure patients with epilepsy and asthma.
Alongside the Mutawa, existed certain 'spiritual healers' who would often prescribe bizarre cures. Although the two are often confused, there are fundamental differences between the genuine Mutawa and the frauds.
The Mutawa depended on Quranic verses and prayers to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
On the other hand, the fraudulent healers developed strange medicinal concoctions which were more placebo than cure.
The distinction between the two is important as Islam prohibits any practices which are harmful to the human body.
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