Vinegar - the cure for many ailments
By Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha
Prophet Muhammad (saws)
liked vinegar. Modern medicine also acknowledge its
anti-cough, anti-inflammation and digestive properties
Jabir
narrated, "The Messenger of Allah, 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
used to say, "I have loved vinegar since I heard it
from Allah�s Prophet". And Talhah ibn Naf'a said, "I
have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jabir." [Muslim,
Abu Dawud, Nasa�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. The process
of creating vinegar entails fermenting in an aerobic
environment (in the presence of oxygen) as opposed to
alcoholic fermentation, which is done in an anaerobic
environment (in the absence of oxygen). The alcohol
in these liquids is oxidized to acetic acid. Vinegar
contains 4 per cent or more acetic acid. 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
(died 1037 CE) wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon fit
Tibb (the Canon 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 is treating
External Injuries
The Martin-Dale
Encyclopaedia of Pharmaceuticals 1989 indicated that
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 which 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
Professor
John B.Yudkin wrote in the 1986 edition of the Penguin
Encyclopaedia of Nutrition that 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. The 1989 edition of Dr. Micheal Sharon�s
book, Complete Nutrition, stated that vinegar aids
in treating diarrhoea. It should be taken as one
to two tea spoons of vinegar in a glass of boiled
or mineral water several times a day.
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."
Dr.
Sharon ends his argument about cider vinegar by
saying: "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.
Didn't
the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) say, "Vinegar is a good dip."
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