Chapter 13 of 73 9 min read

Part 13

الجزء الثالث عشر

and thus, the people think that it is the first type when in fact it is not."

He In addition said, "Know that every type of disease that attacks the side or the flank is called 'Thatul janb (pleurisy), which is derived from the place where it appears (i.e., the Janb, the flank). That is why every type of pain on the side or flank is called Jhatul janb regardless of the cause of the ailment. This is the meaning of Hippocrates’ statement that those suffering from That AlJanb will benefit from taking a bath. It is said that his statement includes those who suffer from pleurisy, as well as, lung disease (pulmonary) pains that result from a bad constitution, congested conditions without tumors or fever."

Some doctors said that in Greek, the term pleurisy means the warm growth that appears on the side and In addition the tumors of all internal organs. The tumor of any organ is called pleurisy when it is a warm tumor only. Further, there are five symptoms that accompany the real pleurisy: fever, coughing, stinging pain, hard breathing (dyspnea) and pneumonia.

Sea-costus (Indian costus) is used to treat the -areal pleurisy. When the Indian costus is ground to fine -owder, blended with hot oil and then used as an ointment mm the affected area, or when the ailing person licks it, it

—— The Prophetic Medicine

will be a good cure for that ailment. In this case, the costus decomposes the septic substances, strengthens the internal organs and opens the obstructions or clogs. AlMasi‘hi said, "Costus is hot and dry and constipates, strengthens the internal organs, dissipates the wind, opens the clogs, helps against pleurisy and dries out excess moistures. In addition, costus is good for the brain and might help against the real pleurisy, if a phlegmy substance had caused it, especially when the illness is weakening. Allah knows best."

Thotul janb is a dangerous disease. An authentic Hadith related by Umm Salamh reads, "The final ailment that the Messenger of Allah “e suffered from started while he was in Maymunah's house. Whenever the Prophet b felt the pain had eased, he would go out and lead the people in prayer. Whenever the pain intensified, he would say, ‘Order Abu Bakr “ Ai “* to lead the people in prayer,’ The pain kept intensifying until the Prophet m, lost consciousness. When the pain intensified, his wives, his uncle Ab'ass, Umm AI-Fadhl bint Al-Harith and Asma’ bint 'Umair discussed among each other about giving a medicine to the Prophet m,, and they did just that while he was unconscious. When he woke up, he said, Who did this to me. This is the work of some women who came from there, pointing to the direction of Ethiopia with his hand.' Umm Salamah and Asma were the ones who had administered the medicine to the Prophet b (they were

among those who had migrated to Ethiopia), and they said, 'O Messenger of Allah! We were afraid that you were suffering from Thatul janb.' He said, 'What medicine did you give me?' They said, 'Some Indian costus, Wars and some drops of oil.' He said, ‘Allah would never inflict this type of disease on me.' He then said, 'I order you that every person present in this house take some of the same medicine, except for my uncle Al-Ab'ass."

Further, in the Sahihan (AI-Bokhary and Muslim) it is narrated that

"We administered some medicine to the Messenger of Allah b although he indicated that he did not want to be given medicine. But we attributed his refusal to what the sick usually feel about taking medicine. When he woke up, he said: "Did I not disallow you from giving me this medicine? Therefore, everyone present should take some of that medicine, except for my uncle AI-Ab'ass because he was not with you."

The last Hadith allows treating the aggressor in the same manner he treated others, as long as what the aggressor has committed is not prohibited by Allah, and there are more than ten proofs to this tuling that we elaborated on in another book. In addition, this ruling confirms the rulings of the Four Guided Caliphs and

—— The Prophetic Medicine

Imam Ahmad. In addition, this Hadith indicates that reprisal for striking the face and hitting is of the same nature, as there are several Hadith on this subject that are unequivocal.

The Prophet's guidance on treating headaches and migraines

Headaches resemble a pain that appears in some part of the head or all of it, but when the headache attacks one side of the head, it is called migraine. The type that attacks the entire head is sometimes called a helmet, for it resembles the helmet that covers the head. Furthermore, headaches sometimes attack only the back or the front side of the head.

There are many types of headaches that result from various conditions. Headaches usually start when the head becomes hot due to the pressure of a septic vapor that accumulates near the head and which seeks a way out of the body but fails. Then, the pressure of the vapor intensifies, just as a pot when it is heated but the steam is not able to escape from it. It is a fact that when moisture heats up, it seeks more space to expand. Similarly, the vapor accumulates near the head and then causes a headache in the eutire head because it is unable to expand or escape from the body as it heats up. This condition causes a type of dizziness.

There are various specific causes for headaches. First, when one of the four essential conditions (coldness, hotness, dryness and wetness) becomes predominant. Second, ulcers of the stomach cause headaches, because the cephalic (relating to the head) nerves and the stomach are connected, Third, thick flatulence might accumulate in the stomach then later ascend to the head and cause headaches. Fourth, headaches are sometimes caused by a tumor in the gastric veins that cause pain in the head, because the stomach and the head are connected. Fifth, when the stomach is full of food it sometimes provokes headaches, as some of the food remains undigested. Sixth, headaches sometimes occur after sexual intercourse because the body will then be weakened anc thus exposed to the heat of the air. Seventh, headaches sometimes occur after vomiting due to excessive dryness, or to accumulating gaseous materials (flatulence) that ascend to the head from the stomach. Eighth, sometimes the hot weather and air provoke headaches. Ninth, headaches are sometimes caused by the cold weather and from the vapor that accumulates in the head and which is unable to decompose. Tenth, not having enough sleep In addition causes headaches. Headaches are sometimes caused due to the pressure exerted on the head, such as when one carries a heavy object on his head. Twelth, excessive talking sometimes weakens the mind in a wzy that causes headaches. Thirteenth, excessive movemerrs and sports activity can In addition provoke headaches. Fourteenth,

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sadness, depression, obsession and evil thoughts In addition provoke headaches. Fifteenth, excessive hunger provokes headacl.es, as in this case; the excess gaseous materials (flatulence) that accumulate in the stomach ascend to the brain and provoke headaches. Sixteenth, those who suffer from a tumor in the cerebral lining sometimes feel as if hammers are constantly pounding on their heads. Seventeenth, fever In addition provokes headaches because of the intense heat that the body suffers from them. Allah knows best.

Headaches _ result_from changes in the system that affects the cerebral arteries

The weaker side of the brain will accept septic material and the migraine headache will be accompanied by pulsation in the arteries. The pain could be relieved in this case when one ties a bandage so that the pulsing of the arteries is stopped and thus the pain is lessened.

Abu Na'im said in his book on Prophetic medicine that the migraine type of headache used to attack the Prophet ss and that it would prevent him from going out of his house for one or two days at a time. In addition, Abu Na'im related from Ibn Ab‘ass that he said, "Once, the Messenger of Allah ;ig delivered a speech while a cloth was tied around his head."

In addition, the Sahih states that the Prophet * said 108

during the illness that preceded his death: "O my head!" He used to tie a piece of cloth around his head.

Tying a piece of cloth around the head helps soothe the pain of headaches and migraines.

Treating headaches varies according to their type and causes

Hence, headaches could be relieved by vomiting, eating, being calm and idle, using cold rags, cooling the body, elevating the temperature, avoiding noise, etc.

Knowing these facts, we should mention that treating headaches with Henna is partial and that it treats some types of headache, If the headache is caused by high fever and not a spoiled substance that requires extraction, Henna helps soothe the headache somewhat. Crushed Henna blended with vinegar and applied to the forehead will relieve the headache. Henna In addition soothes the nerves when used as a bandage. Finally, Henna is not only favorable to relieve headaches, but In addition for the various organs of the body and for the hot tumors and inflammations when used as a bandage.

Henna is cold in the first degree and dry in the second degree

The Henna tree has: two special qualities,

——— The Prophetic Medicine

decomposing due to its warm watery essence, and constipating due to the cold earthly essence it contains.

Henna is useful in treating burns and soothes the nerves when used us a bandage, as we have stated. When chewed, Henna helps treat the cankers and thrush that appear in the mouth. Henna In addition heals stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth) that appear in the child's mouth. Using the Henna to bandage hot tumors In addition helps, as it has a similar effect on open sores as the dragon's blood tree has on them. When the Henna flower is blended with pure wax and rose oil, it will help against the aches of the side (Thatul janb).

When the symptoms of smallpox start to break out on children and Henna is then applied on the bottom of their feet, the eyes will be immune from the sores that accompany smallpox. In addition, when the flower of the Henna is placed between wool clothes, it will perfume it and will prevent mold or mite. Furthermore, when the leaves of the Hei.ra are submerged in fresh water, then squeezed and drunk for forty days, twenty measures each day along with ten measures of sugar while eating the meat of a young ewe, it prevents leprosy with its amazing qualities.