The Herb'n Muslim Newsletter

MSG and the Muslim World

2009-03-14T14:09:00.002-05:00

I actually discovered MSG when I was living in Egypt. I thought they had invented it because it was such a popular ingredient in all their soups - especially in those "Maggi" cubes. However, when I started to feel ill every time I ate something with MSG I started to do some more research. Even before completing my studies in natural healing I had become aware of the harms of MSG.

It turns out that MSG is a harmful flavoring that causes different health problems for different people ranging from stomach aches, insomnia and headaches to more major problems like diabetes, heart problems and cancer. Because of its dangers Chinese restuarants were pressured to take it out of their foods about 8-10 years ago. What I have found offensive, since then, is that while Chinese restaurants have taken it out of their foods, places like Pizza Hut continue to add it to their sauces and many canned items include it in their sauces and soups. It is still used in many salad dressings and other food items here in America, and still used liberally in the Middle East.

What I have always had a hard time understanding, however, is how a predominately Muslim culture can continue to use a flavoring that is extracted from dried animal blood and decaying protein? The following description was provided by a student of the Islamic Healing Course (www.IslamicHealingCourse.com) As I was correcting assginments this morning it reminded me of MSG and the Muslim world and inspired me to post this reminder to the list:

MSG: Also can be named as hydrolyzed plant protein, natural flavor and Kmbu extract, autolyzed yeast, and yeast extract. The animal based MSG comes from animal blood or decaying protein. It has been linked to learning disorders in children and hyperactivity. Effects include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, mood changes, sleep problems, rash, sweating, and chest pain.

Letters to the Editor: What Are Epsom Salts?

2009-03-06T17:46:00.001-06:00

Question: I am using a formula of salt, olive and lemon juice for cleansing. Can I use Epsom salts instead? It says I should use sea salt? Why?

Answer: Epsom salts are not just "salts" - they are a natural substance that can extract toxins from your body. Scientifically Epsom salts are a magensium sulfate "salts" - most minerals can be made into salt! Regular salt that we eat is really just mostly sodium chloride. You would not want to eat Epsom salts, although there are some ways you can consume them safely "now and then" for health benefits.

Sea salt is also beneficial in therapy - although its effects are different from that of Epsom salts because sea salts are made up of many different minerals.

Sea salt contains about 84 different essential minerals - 83 which are actually EXTRACTED when regular table salt is made!

And yes, you CAN mix the lemon juice, olive oil and sea salt.

Blessings & Health,
Karima

Letters to the Editor: Stomach Pain

2009-03-06T17:04:00.002-06:00

My schedule no longer allows me to answer Letters to the Editor. I now do all of my consulting via www.HerbnHome.com . At this time I am posting some old letters that I want to share with the public in case they may help someone else. I will be posting a sample of some of these old letters from time to time on this BLOG. A complete file of old "Letters to the Editor" is available by becoming a member of the consulting list at www.HerbnHome.com

Stomach Pain
Question: Ms. Burns,

Assalamwalaikum, I hope you are doing well. I am
writing this e-mail to you with deep concern for my
father. He is almost 70 years old and since I can
remember he had and has a digestive problem,
heartburn, he does not get hungry, constipation and he
is in constant pain (quite literally). He is a
smoker, and there is no chance of him quitting. He
takes numerous amounts of medicines and tries anything
in hope of relieving his suffering due to abdominal
pain. He will eat fruits such as kiwi, prunes, dates
and figs so he can use the restroom. However, I
believe my father is not consistent in taking one type
of medicine. He gave up a long time ago. Are there
any herbs that you can suggest, or anything he could
do so his pain can decrease? Thank you, Jazak Allah.
- MG

Answer:
Please try Aloe Vera juice mixed with juice (to make it taste better). If he takes 2 ounces 3 times a day with juice (start with 2 times a day and then increase to 3 if he needs it) I am sure he will feel better. You might also consider getting him a full consultation so he has a holistic practitioner look at all his issues together. I offer online consultations but you may want to see someone in your area.

I hope this helps!

I know it has helped many people I know.

You can get Aloe Vera juice at the health food stores but it is much less expensive from the health section of the grocery stores.

If you are not living in the USA then try Psyllium seed powder mixed with juice 2 times a day.

One-week discount and New Islamic Healing Course Website

2008-07-26T11:23:00.003-05:00

Please take a moment to look at the new Islamic Healing Course website at:

www.IslamicHealingCourse.com

Prices for the course have increased (as I mentioned a few weeks ago). However, anyone who sends me this e-mail can still register under the old prices ($250.00 for the entire course or $35.00 per class.) until August 1, 2008.

I look forward to hearing your feedfback on the new website.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Kristie's Consulting & Seminar Trip Dates

2008-07-04T02:52:00.001-05:00

Consulting & Seminar Trip July 2008: Kristie Karima Burns, Mh, ND

Get your free travel blog
Visit my travel blogs

Get your free travel blog.
Visit my travel blogs.

Folk Medicine - Listerine and Mosquitos?

2008-07-04T00:53:00.002-05:00

I recently received the following post from a friend:

I can't wait to try this in the summer!
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.
The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.
During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.

So why does this work? If we ask ourselves this then we will realize that the reason this works is NOT because of the Listerine brand but because of the high concentrations of Thyme and Eucalyptus essential oils in the mouthwash formula.

The active ingredients listed on Listerine bottles are menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, and eucalyptol. Ethanol is present in concentrations of 21.6% in the flavored product and 26.9% in the original gold Listerine Antiseptic. Thymol is an antiseptic, methyl salicylate is a cleaning agent, and menthol is a local anesthetic. At this concentration, the ethanol serves to dissolve the active ingredients.

So...instead of using the slightly toxic mouthwash to rid your area of mosquitoes - consider making your own homemade spray with thyme and eucalyptus oils. And don't forget the sage oil for those horrible itches! (Note: Essential oils should be diluted by 3 drops per 1 TBS. of carrier oil)

Letter to the Editor: Colon Cleanse

2008-07-04T00:48:00.001-05:00

Asalaam O Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.

Sister, I had a question to ask you. ------ is
going to do a colon cleanse with bentonite and
psyllium. He is also having an issue whereby whenever
he drinks water, he has the urge to go. He can hold
it but it is almost as though his bowels don't wait to
get full up so if he drinks, he is basically going to
urinate alot which can be annoying not to mention his
hands get dried up so much that the skin starts to
crack and bleed alittle.
Do you think it will be OK to do the cleanse since he
will be on a liquid diet?

If you think this condition needs attention then I
will consult you, InshAllah.

Wasalaam, - T

Dear T,

Wa Aleikum Asalam...

It sounds a little complex for a short answer. I would recommend that he get a consultation from me or from someone else to completely evaluate his situation. However...I do have a few general comments:

1. You mention he does not hold his water. Is this just because he is on a liquid diet right now or does he typically drink a lot and urinate a lot? If so, then he needs to be evaluated by a health care practitioner because these are serious symptoms usually having to do with the pituitary glandm brain or kidneys.

2. Many people do cleanses while on a liquid diet - as long as they are in very good health, are very strong, are being monitored by a health care practitioner and they have "eased" into the cleanse before hand with a pre-cleanse.

Hope this helps!

Blessings & Health,
Karima
www.TheAvicennaInstitute.com

Islamic Healing Course Price Increase July 1st

2008-06-21T17:22:00.002-05:00

Dear Members,

This is to alert you that there will be a price increase in the The Avicenna Institute Healing Classes on July 1st, 2008. At this time BOTH prices are listed at the shopping cart page. The lower prices will be deleted on July 1st. I have listed the new and old prices below. If you wish to purchase something now before the price change you do not have to use it now. So, for example, if you purchased a health consultation, you could use it in December or any other time. You remain a member of all the classes for life and you may work at your own pace. For more information on the classes you can visit:

www.TheAvicennaInstitute.com

You may make payments at:

http://stores.ebay.com/herbnhome

If you have any questions please e-mail me at: herbnhome@yahoo.com.

Parent-Child Healing Class NOW= $150.00 :July 1st = $187.50 (can be taken as a group to save)
Naturopathic Healing Class NOW = $250.00 .... July 1st = $350.00
Islamic Healing Class NOW = $250.00...July 1st = $350.00
Most Healing Classes NOW = $50.00 .... July 1st = $75.00
Online Healing Consultations NOW = $35.00...July 1st = $47.00
Temperament Consultations NOW = $15.00....July 1st = $25.00
Dream Interpretations NOW = $15.00...July 1st = $25.00
Aromatherapy Course NOW = $87.50....July 1st = $125.00 (includes book and 4 oils)
Iridology Course NOW = $75.00...July 1st = $110.00 (includes supplies)
Herbalist Certification NOW = $75.00...July 1st = $125.00 (includes 10 herbs)

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.IslamicHealingCourse.com

Beekeeping Photos from Karima & Carle

2008-05-05T10:21:00.002-05:00

And the Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, in trees, and in men’s habitats; then to eat of all the produce and find with the skill the precious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men; verily this is a sign for those who give thought. - Qur'an sura ‘The Bee’ in ayyats 68 and 69.

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

I wanted to share these photos with you from a friend in SA (South Africa). Her family keeps bees on their property and she says it is very easy. This is something I dream of doing. Bees are such a blessed creature and yet the mass-production of honey is so harmful to them (and to us). It would be so wonderful if more of us could start a little project like this in our backyards!

I know that in my town here we also have a local beekeeping club that helps people start projects like this. If you are interested you might want to look into local chapters of this club. For now, you can be inspired by Carle and Karl...

http://ourholisticlife.blogspot.com/2008/05/kalla-teaches-frugal-beekeeping.html

Blessings & Health,

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

http://www.islamichealingcourse.com/

http://www.naturopathichealingcourse.com/

Herbal Fairytales are NOW HERE!

2008-03-31T03:07:00.002-05:00

I am very happy to announce that the long awaited first book in my series of Herbal Fairytales is now ready for purchase!

Each book tells a fairytale about the herb that incorporates the appearance and medicinal uses of the herb into the story itself. This is a wonderful way for children AND adults to learn about herbal healing. Additionally, each book has been illustrated by a Waldorf classroom, led by their main teacher, and is not only a visual treat, but a guide for you to use if you want to turn the story into a main lesson and water-color painting session for your own classroom.
Finally, each book includes a child-friendly recipe for the herb.

Anyone who purchases this book will also receive FREE the E-books "Waldorf Watercolor Painting" AND "A Year of Waldorf Watercolor Painting" - a $12.00 value.

(If you have already purchased these e-books you can choose two other e-books to receive for free, however, no refunds will be available).

Book One is called Red Clover and is available NOW!

Rather than have you pay for the costs of on demmand publishing and inflated shipping costs I will be making a large order of these books on April 15th and will send them out to people via Media Mail. This will save everyone $6.00 on the cost of the book. However, because I need to order a set of books at one time to be sent to me I am taking pre-orders at this time so I know how many books to order in the first shipment.

This is a 9 x 7" softcover full-color book with 39 original watercolor paintings that you and your children will learn from as well as enjoy reading and gazing at for many hours. Paintings were done by the children of the 5th and 6th grade class at the Four Winds School in the suburbs of Chicago. They were paid to be illustrators of the book as a class fundraising project.
You can pre-order this book for only $17.50 plus $3.50 shipping and handling by sending payment to: herbnhome@yahoo.com via Paypal OR by paying at the Herb'n Home Amazon Paypage (please send a note if you pay via Amazon as they do not alert me).

To ship anywhere outside the USA will cost $7.50. If you are purchasing other items from The Dream Angels EBAY then I can put this book in your shipment with other items and the shipping will be FREE.

Please pass this note on to your friends! Thank you!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

What is the difference between Herbs and Homeopathy? LETTER TO THE EDITOR

2008-03-05T12:20:00.003-06:00

RE: What is the major difference between herbal remedies and homeopathy? Can they both be taken simutanously? - MK

Dear MK,

The major differences between herbal and homeopathic remedies are this:

1. Herbal remedies work on a physical level as well as an energetic level (although many herbalists ignore this energetic level), homeopathic medicine works on an energetic level and not on a physical level. It is the energy vibration of the medicine that is inducing the reaction in the body and not the physical substance. For more information on what an "energy level" is you can visit : https://www.hado.net/

Emoto's work on water illustrates what "energetic level" means better than any description I have ever heard in the world of homeopathy.

2. Homeopathic remedies treat on the theory that Like Heals Like. So, when you give a homeopathic remedy for a "fever and red cheeks with sweating that came on suddenly" you will give a remedy that causes "fever and red cheeks with sweating that comes on suddenly" in healthy test subjects.

J is right in that you can use them together. However, you do have to wait a half hour before taking any herbal remedies (just as you do with taking ANY substance with homeopathic remedies...not just herbs) and you need to avoid herbs with very strong smells like Valerian or Mint.

I don't usually use both, however, as I work mostly with "single" remedies. I like to keep things simple and get a real feel for what each remedy or herb does on its own. For this reason, I try each remedy apart from another one so I can tell which one is doing what. If I gave belladona (homeopathic) for a fever and then I gave the same person hibiscus tea (for a fever) and the fever went down I would not know which one worked better. Most of the time I find that if you can get to know a remedy or an herb very very well (and this takes time and patience) you can usually use just one thing and it will work very well.

However, when I was first learning about healing and sometimes when my kids are very sick and I don't want to wait around to see what happens...I used to dose with everything and was just glad when one of them worked!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

http://www.theavicennainstitute.com/

2008-02-24T22:24:00.002-06:00

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

I have just updated The Herb Channel and hope to upload some more FREE shows soon along with more member shows. Please take a look and send your feedback!

http://www.theherbchannel.com/

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Consulting Clip: Excerpt from Consultation on Stomach Problems

2008-02-21T14:53:00.002-06:00

Dear Readers,

The following is only an excerpt and is not a complete consultation. If you have stomach issues yourself you should consult your health care practitioner. I am posting this to give you some ideas. This was a response to one of my consulting clients as a FOLLOW UP on her initial consultation. She is also consulting with a local health care practitioner so my ideas are supplemental:

Dear Karima,

Following the consultation with you I noticed my daughter also has some stomach problems. She wakes up complaining for about 30 minutes and then she is OK.

Dear Client,

I have some ideas how to help depending on what else you have observed:

1. It could be just that she needs to release from the sleep she was in. A lot of people have aches in the morning because they need to go to the bathroom (either kind) and when they go and release that the stomach ache goes away. I have also found that in SOME people they cannot distinguish between a stomach ache and the urge to go to the bathroom. For them it is so very similar. It is like when they need to go their brain does not tell them to go, but instead sends them a pain signal. If your daughter is this type then you can help her by teaching her to listen to her body more, insist that she go to the bathroom every time you leave the house, before bed, etc...

2. If it is nerves from an event she goes to every day (school) this is also normal. There are a lot of children and adults who get stomach aches when they first wake up because the transition from the safety of the home to the outside world is difficult for them. If she is the type of child who finds transitions difficult then this could be part of the issue. If this is the case then just do your best to wake her up earlier to give her more time to transition so she knows she has more time and perhaps even some time to play in the morning before she goes out. She has a strong need to CENTER herself before going out. You can also start the morning with some calming chamomile tea or perhaps light a lavender candle (REAL lavender) before she wakes up in the morning so the house has a calming feel to it when she wakes up.

3. From all that you have said about her it does not sound like a food or allergy or physical issue in that way so the last thing I would try looking into is if she is getting enough sleep or not. It is very common for people to feel ill upon waking if they do not get enough sleep. I know many people and clients who have this issue. She should be getting 9-10 hours a night and perhaps more. If she is not getting this regularly then her body is not able to complete the cycles of healing and recharging it does every night and she will wake up feeling ill.

Blessings & Health,
Karima
www.islamichealingcourse.com
www.herbnmuslim.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Gum Pain

2008-02-21T14:33:00.003-06:00

I just finished having surgery on my teeth and am in a lot of pain. Do you have any advice?

I assume that you are consulting with your dentist and are aware of any warning signs of infection that might require you return to his office. Other than that...

For any tooth pain at all I use the homeopathic remedy Hypericum.

The other remedy I use is cloves or clove oil. It is an antibiotic and it numbs the area of pain so you don't feel it. If you have some essential oil of clove put 3 drops in a TBS of olive oil and apply directly to the area with a cotton swab. If you don't have any essential oil then take some whole cloves and simmer them in a little olive oil (don't fry them) for a bit and THEN apply that to the area. You can also just suck on an entire clove (on that side of your mouth). That works too.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.islamichealingcourse.com
www.muslimhomeschoolers.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Colon Trouble

2008-02-21T14:23:00.002-06:00

Ms. Burns,

Assalamwalaikum, I hope you are doing well. I am
writing this e-mail to you with deep concern for my
father. He is almost 70 years old and since I can
remember he had and has a digestive problem,
heartburn, he does not get hungry, constipation and he
is in constant pain (quite literally). He is a
smoker, and there is no chance of him quitting. He
takes numerous amounts of medicines and tries anything
in hope of relieving his suffering due to abdominal
pain. He will eat fruits such as kiwi, prunes, dates
and figs so he can use the restroom. However, I
believe my father is not consistent in taking one type
of medicine. He gave up a long time ago. Are there
any herbs that you can suggest, or anything he could
do so his pain can decrease? Thank you, Jazak Allah.

- MG

Dear MG,

As you already know he does need to stop smoking. Additionally, his problems sound very serious and he should consult a health care practitioner. Meanwhile, please try Aloe Vera juice mixed with juice (to make it taste better). If he takes 2 ounces 3 times a day with juice (start with 2 times a day and then increase to 3 if he needs it) this will help him. You might also consider getting him a full consultation so he has a holistic practitioner look at all his issues together.

You can get Aloe Vera juice at the health food stores but it is much less expensive from the health section of the grocery stores.

If you are not living in the USA then try Psyllium seed powder mixed with juice 2 times a day.

Blessings & Health,
Karima

Parent Child Natural Healing Classes with Hakima Karima

2008-01-27T20:58:00.000-06:00

Dear Parents,

Parent-Child Natural Healing Classes ONLINE will be starting on February 1st!
(Scroll down to sign up as a pair, a family or co-op group)

I have been teaching a naturopathic healing class online for 8 years (and offline for more). My children are all old enough to start participating in learning these skills, but the classes I already offer are at a higher level (14-16 years old and up to 150 years) So I will be starting a new series of classes over the next few weeks called "Parent-Child Natural Healing Classes". During these classes we will be learning:

Reflexology
Herbs
Iridology
Nutrition
Typology

These classes will be taught at a child's level and will all include video support. I will be uploading one class every month for the next 5 months. Mothers who have taken these classes "in person" with me before have been thrilled because the classes were so easy for THEM to understand too. Even herbalists and healers were excited to discover new ways of looking at herbs and healing and the kind of reflexology I teach is not American reflexology so it is new too!

How the classes will run:

1. Each month you will receive your video - downloadable online - and class materials and E-books, lesson plans and stories (all online). You will be able to access these materials at any time so even if you don't choose to participate WITH the class you can use these materials even 5 years from now!

2. The entire month we are running the class I will be visiting the online forum (open for the class forever) and I will be present there every Friday at a certain time to participate. You are welcome to join the class in "real time" or you can access the forum and do the class on your own time. I expect there will be enough people doing the class at different times that there will ALWAYS be someone on the forum so these classes are NOT restrained by time but I am adding an element of time to them so that people who want a more LIVE experience can have that.

3. You will be able to either participate in LIVE time or on your own time.

4. The classes do not involve testing, although you are welcome to contact me any time with questions

5. Two certificates of participation will be issued when you finish the series for participants in the class, however, as many children or family members as you like can participate in the classes. However, please do not distribute the class outside of your group as the materials are copyrighted.

6. You must sign up for all of the classes. You can pay all at once or you can pay in installments:

One time price is:
$150.00 payable at:
http://tinyurl.com/2gdrz7
(Ideas: sign up as a co-op group to save money and split the fee between more than one person)

The installment price is (a little more because of the maintenance from my end)
$50.00 for the first installment and then $30.00 a month after the first installment for the next 4 months.
http://tinyurl.com/2zq89k

7. If you want classes with testing and certification for older child or adults visit: www.islamichealingcourse.com

If you have any questions please contact me at : herbnhome@yahoo.com

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.herbnmuslim.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Liver Cleanse

2008-01-26T18:49:00.001-06:00

Assalaam O Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
I have been having some indigestion on a regular basis
coupled on occasions with nausea and bloating. I
wonder if perhaps my gaulbladder is the problem and I
am having starting symptoms. I wanted to ask you
about liver cleanses by Dr Hilda Clark with olive oil,
lemon juice and epsom salts. Would you advise this
kind of cleanse? My mother has also recommended me an
auyervedic powder mixture which is supposed to be
good. I am wondering which would be better for me to
do.What would you suggest? - T. in Illinois

Dear T,

The liver cleanse you mentioned is a wonderful way to clean out but I wonder if it might be too intense for you at this point. Usually one does a pre-cleanse before anything so intense and if you do this kind of liver cleanse you can expect to be in bed for a couple hours or on the toilet for a while! So I would recommend it - it is wonderful - but first make sure you are strong enough to handle it and that you have some extra time on your hands. I would say to ease into it by settling your digestive system first. The best and easiest way to do this is to add some aloe Vera juice to some water or juice (I prefer juice because it masks the odd taste) and drinking this 3 times a day (see bottle for dosages). After a week of doing this you should feel better and your body would be ready for the cleanse.

And make sure you drink PLENTY of water during the cleanse. You don't want to cleanse and just have the toxins stay in your body. Water is the element of the cleanse that FLUSHES the toxins once they are released.

I am not sure about the Ayurvedic powder. Do you know what is in it?

Blessings & Health,
Hakima Karima

The following information was added by Anisa Abeytiya:

(Please note that the liver and gallbladder are often cleansed together, so although Hilda Clark mentions this as a Liver Cleanse on the site, it is ALSO a Gallbladder cleanse. Note that Hilda Clark's therapies are often posted on various sites without the disclaimers that Anisa mentions below...so, as with all information, it is good to research)

Asalaam Alikum,

This is actually a gallstone cleanse and it is quite dangerous if someone has a stone because it could obstruct the duct and cause the gallbladder to rupture. I do not know anyone that recommends this because of the legal ramifications.

Our bodies detoxify 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So it is not something we need to force the body to do. Yet there are times when we do need to help the body along. If your detoxification pathways are not all working, particularly your bowel, you do not want to force detoxification (see my article on detox at www.womenshealingcircle.org) because your body will not be able to remove waste.

A simple glass of water with lemon juice is a wonderful, safe way to help cleans your liver. Green powders are cleansing as well as assist the body to eliminate waste. Drink 3 8oz glasses of water with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, not with food.

One should never embark on a detoxification program without the assistance of a health professional. Also, those who are pregnant, nursing or planning to become pregnant, those recovering from chronic or acute illness should not embark on a detoxification program.

A tea made with1 part marshmallow and 1 part chamomile are suitable to calm gut inflammation and sooth the stomach.

If you e mail me I can send you a questionnaire to asses Phase I and II of your liver.

Blessings,

Anisa

My Child is Not Sleeping: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

2008-01-19T15:06:00.000-06:00

Dear Karima,

I am at my wit’s end with L.’s sleep. I’m pretty close to my breaking point, as I haven’t gotten more than 2 hours of consecutive sleep in the past week, and I cannot remember the last time I slept more than 3 hours in a row. L. is 18 months old, and I sleep with her on a queen sized mattress on the floor in her room. She wakes frequently to nurse. I would be thrilled if she only woke twice to nurse. The past couple of weeks, she has been waking very frequently, like 10+ times a night. I just don’t know what to do. I’ve read several sleep books, including The No Cry Sleep Solution, but NOTHING seems to work. I am so incredibly sleep deprived, and her sleep habits just seem to be getting worse and worse. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. - S.T. (Note: This letter was shortened)

Dear S.T.,

It sounds like you have tried a lot of different methods to get her to sleep better - and all are wonderful. So I will try suggesting some more unconventional ideas...

Since whatever you drink enters the milk she is drinking I would suggest drinking about 3 cups of chamomile tea a day for a few days. This will help pretty much any problem she has (colic, too hot, tummy issues, anxiety, insomnia, etc...) without having to go through the detective work to figure out what it is. You can even spoon feed her (tip a little in her mouth with a spoon, babies love drinking this way) a spoon or two of the tea herself. If this gentle method does not work, you can also get some chamomile essential oil and mix 2 drops w/ a TBS. Of massage oil and rub it in a clockwise motion on her belly a couple times a day - especially at night. This always seemed to "drug" my kids into a deep sleep. I think it is the combination of the soothing massage and the effects of the oil. Hope this helps.

Also, this seems obvious but make sure you are not drinking any coffee or teas with caffeine. I didn't drink caffeine the entire 6 years I was nursing my three kids because I wouldn't get ANY sleep otherwise. Other things that can cause insomnia are: any foods with MSG (a lot of salad dressings at restaurants have this, Pizza Hut pizza sauce has this, I'm pretty sure Hye-Vee Deli uses this because their food keeps me awake all night if I eat it).

Blessings & Health,
Karima

Hemorrhoids & Classes: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

2008-01-19T14:23:00.000-06:00

For Kind Attention of : Dr.Karima Burns

Hello,
In full appreciation to your wonderful articles and online education offers
and your 'Noble' service to the suffering patients,I wish to seek your assistance and learn more about health. Could you send me your IM ID so I could talk with you about this more?

I am interested to join your course. Do I get any Certificate (duration) after completion of the course? Do I need to pay for the course ?(If yes) How much ?

If any member undergoes consultation & treatment are they alloted any certificate too ? Do you have any suggestions for treating hemorrhoids?

Regards - IL

Dear IL,

Thank you for your kind note and your interest in my services.

I will do my best to answer your questions below:

1. You receive a professional certificate when you complete the course.
2. The course is on sale at this time for $250.00 (regular price is $350.00) at:
Islamic Healing Course Payment Page

3. You can also pay $35.00 per month via 12-monthly installments at:
Monthly Installments for the Islamic Healing Course

4. Treatment does not come with a certificate but it does come with 6-weeks of free follow-up e-mails and consulting.

5. I have an IM group for students of the Islamic Healing Course, but I do not do IM with any other people as my schedule is very tight.

6. For "hemorrhoids" I suggest the following:

A simple remedy is to make a compress of witch hazel extract. You should be able to get this at the pharmacy. Put it in the refrigerator so it stays cold. Put some on a cotton cloth and apply directly to the area. It will be quite shocking but will help relieve the swelling and constrict the veins. You can also calendula, St. John's wort and comfrey herb as a compress on the area.

If none of these herbs are available you can also try putting aloe Vera on the area. Also, drinking aloe Vera juice internally will help.

Some "kitchen remedies" (available everywhere) would be to take a nice warm bath infused with chamomile or calendula herbal tea.

Hope this helps!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, Mh, ND

Signatures of Fruits & Vegetables

2008-01-19T14:09:00.001-06:00

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

I have always been amazed with the system of "signatures" in herbalism. This system was one of the ways herbs were identified in the times before the Prophet. People would identify herbs by the way they look (ginseng, which looks like a body is a body tonic...red herbs are usually good for the heart, etc...) Even today I use this simple method as a way of teaching children about herbs (and then we work up from there). Subhan Allah it is amazing the way God provides us with the information we need to heal ourselves!

I recently received an e-mail that talked about the "signatures" of food items as well. This is a good lesson in observation. Sometimes we are praying for a cure or an answer...and sometimes it is right in front of our eyes!

This is interesting info...

You are what you eat, so eat well. A stupendous insight of civilizations past has now been confirmed by today's investigative, nutritional sciences. They have shown that what was once called 'The Doctr ine of Signatures' was astoundingly correct. It now contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function and that this pattern acts as a signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eater. Here is just a short list of examples of Whole Food Signatures.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Grapefruits, Oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Is Milk OK?

2008-01-09T15:21:00.000-06:00

Dear Editor,

I've heard that milk is harmful to drink - what do you think? The hadiths all mention milk but my natural doctor says it is not good for me.

- NH

Dear NH

The hadiths are correct, of course, but they are speaking of the kind of milk that is fresh from the animal and not pasteurized - a BIG DIFFERENCE between THAT kind of milk and what we buy at the store. In fact, SO different that they should not even call the stuff on shelves in the market "milk"...perhaps "Milk-inspired-drink" would be more appropriate?

The only problem is that our stomach's are not so used to digesting this fresh raw milk so it can make a lot of people sick. Secondly, milk is not good for everyone. It can be good for some people in some situations but in all areas of nutrition you should always consider when and who it is good for. If the person has a cold with a runny nose or they are allergic to milk or cannot digest milk it would not be "good for them". So as far as the ultimate question - is it good for us? Yes, for some of us. But NOTHING is good for everyone. Everyone has their own nutritional needs based on their blood type, physiological type and other factors.

Hope this helps.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.islamichealingcourse.com

ANYONE is welcome to join...
http://islamichealingcourse.blogspot.com/
http://islamicwaldorf.blogspot.com/
http://herbnmuslim.blogspot.com/

Islam & Natural Healing Articles

2007-12-12T10:22:00.000-06:00

QUOTE of the week by Sofi

2007-11-08T21:38:00.001-06:00

A remembered this quote recently and wanted to share it with you. About two years ago I was talking to my daughter about someone and I said "...they are foreigners". I could have been talking about friends of mine living abroad or I could have been talking about someone here I don't remember. But I do remember what she said to me. She looked at me with this VERY QUIZZICAL look on her face and said "Mom. Nobody can be foreign. Everyone has to have a country SOMEWHERE!" Some would say she didn't really understand the word itself.

But I think she understands more than most of us do.

LETTER TO EDITOR: Asthma

2007-11-08T21:22:00.000-06:00

Hi Kristie,
Thank you for these great videos. I am going to make the ginger syrup tonight. My dd is very sick and the congestion is getting worse so we are trying everything we can to avoid albuterol therapy. She is not asmatic this virus has just really weakened her usually strong system and the cough/congestion won't leave her chest/lungs. I am hoping the ginger syrup will help along with the other natural remedies we are trying. I am wondering how much honey I should add? And if I could use my vitamix to liquefy the ginger and water before straining? Or would that make the ginger mixture to strong or ruin it? I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us and cannot thank you enough for this recipe.
Thanks - CH

Dear CH,

Thank you for the thank you :) The proportion of honey is supposed to be 1:1 but I like it a little more gingery and less sugary so I just left it like it was at the end of the video. AFTER you make it you can add other tinctures to it as long as you keep it stored safely and you are aware of how much of the other substance is in there so you don't overdose someone on it. The regular portion someone should take of this is 2 TBS (for an adult) 3 times a day.

From the sounds of your dd it sounds like she needs THYME tea or an aromatherapy thyme rub on her chest (or marjorum or oregano). You can add three drops of one of those oils to a base oil (1 TBS base oil) and rub it on the back (if she's shy or doesn't want to rub it on her chest herself) and chest if possible.

You can also have her inhale the mist as you are making THYME TEA. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp. Dried thyme and as the aroma is coming up and the herbs are steeping for 15 minutes she can breathe in the vapors. Hope she is feeling better. Whenever I get sick it ALWAYS goes to my lungs so I know how she feels. Awful!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: MSG Headaches

2007-11-08T14:17:00.000-06:00

Dear Karima,

I suffer from debilitating headaches caused by MSG. No matter how hard I try to avoid it - it continues to surprise me and pop up too often for my taste. Please help! How can I tell if a food has MSG and how can I stop these headaches? - KF

Dear KF -

I know what you mean! I also have a problem with MSG. In fact, I could be hired as a MSG tester. Almost immediately upon eating anything with MSG I get headaches and am debilitated in some way - either I am up all night or I have to go to sleep right away. I feel sick in general and it is just awful. I will eat out sometimes and have this reaction and then think - that place does not have MSG! How can it! With all the hype about Chinese MSG how can Pizza Hut have MSG in their Pizza and nobody says anything about it????? Anyway, I already have my own list of places around town that I can't eat at because of their MSG usage but you are right - it is hard to completely avoid.

One thing I do to help "flush it out" after it happens is I make a tea of Nettles, Red Rasberry, Alfalafa and Peppermint. Half of the tea is nettles which flushes the MSG out of your body. The other herbs help you regain your balance and energy and the peppermint also helps with the headaches. You can order these herbs anywhere online. You should use them in loose herb form and make a tea for best effect.

Hope this helps.

Blessings & Health,
Karima

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Sinus Infections

2007-11-08T13:14:00.001-06:00

Dear Editor,

The doctor says I need sugery for my sinus infections. Is there anything natural I can try first?

- GH

Dear GH -

This may sound very simple, but a lot of clients I have had used a Netti Pot with GREAT success. They started out with recurring sinus infections and after a few uses they never saw a sinus infection again in their lives (at least so far...I've tracked the oldest case for only 6 years). Salt has healing properties we don't give it credit for and was a favorite herb of the Prophet (SAWS). You can find out more info on Netti pots by doing a Google Internet search.

There are a lot of herbs, homeopathics and aromatherapy oils I could also suggest for you. I could give you a list 3 pages long but why use these other things when a small investment of about $15.00 for a "pot" is all the Netti treatment costs? And the salt water is free as long as you do the treatment.

If you have any further questions please contact me. I may be able to help you with another short e-mail or a more in-depth online consultation.

Blessings & Health,

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

LESSON: From a Car Accident Yesterday

2007-10-09T13:20:00.000-05:00

Dear Members,

Yesterday I was in the first car accident of my life. I had some injury to my back and neck. They say there are no broken bones but I have to wait a few days to see if the pain and swelling are just muscle stress or something more serious. I am hoping it all just gets better in a few days. Right now I am just able to work very slowly but I am thankful for a lot of things and I wanted to share these with you so you can learn from what happened to me and perhaps have a little time to reflect on the things that you are thankful for today.

I am thankful that...

1. ...The kids were in the backseat. Sometimes I do let the older child sit in front, but if he had been sitting in front he would have rammed his head into the dashboard and not the soft seat in front of him. Note to self - NEVER let even an older child sit in front!

2. ...The kids were wearing their seatbelts. Sometimes they "forget" and I have to remind them. And sometimes I forget to remind them and we go a few blocks before I realize they are not belted in. Note to self: Be 100% diligent about reminding them and don't forget in the future AT ALL!

3. ...I was wearing my seatbelt. I was rammed into very hard from behind. If I had not been wearing my seatbelt I imagine my face would not be too pretty right now.

4. ...That is was not worse. About the only thing I can do today is type a little and sit. So I was reading the paper a bit and there was a story about a lady who was in a similar accident 4 years ago and the spine injuries she sustained cause paralysis. She is looking for donations for a surgery that she needs. I think I will send some money.

5. ...That I was not talking on my cell phone or eating while I was driving. I have to admit (shame on me) that I occassionally did this in the past. Well, I realize if I HAD been doing that last night the accident would have been much worse. I had fast enough reflexes and was focused enough that I stopped before I hit the car in front of me. Of course my car hit him eventually anyway after the car behind me hit ME but the accident would have been much worse if I had not been completely focused on my driving at that moment.

6...That is was rush hour and traffic was slow. I usually hate 73rd street because of the slow traffic. I am learning to appreciate it now.

Wishing you all a safe driving day!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.thedreamangels.com

JOBS: Illume Magazine Call for Submissions

2007-09-29T14:53:00.000-05:00

I was just sent this note today by Javed Ali, director of Illume Magazine. If you are a writer please read on...

Illume Magazine is an independent media publication that aims to connect to the peoples of America and to the global electronic community in an effort to present the beauty of Islam through web and print media. .

In recent years, Islam has seen an increase in attention from the mainstream media, but this attention generally presents a distorted image of Islam, which avoids addressing critical issues. The mainstream media is flooded with misinformation regarding Islam, and this is largely due to ignorance. However, the reality of the situation is that a large body of informed perspectives exists outside the mainstream. Illume seeks to act as an alternative media outlet for these perspectives.

We are looking for submissions for our Post 9/11 and Islamophobia Issues.

Please refer to our Submissions Guideline before sending your articles.

Deadline: September 30, 2007
Print: November 2007

Email: november@illumemedia.org

Islam may very well be the fastest growing religion in the world, but most Westerners are reluctant to see it as a harmonious way of life or universal faith to gain understanding from. The experiences we share in a post 9/11 world are something to be discussed at length and this is just the time to bring it to light. The staff of Illume is looking for submissions that address the ongoing conflict of ideology and methodology when principles of the East meet with those of the West. Below you will find themes to guide your research.

Xenophobia toward Muslims in literature, film and general imagery and how this has an effect on the perceptions of ordinary Americans- Seeking a feature length, in depth sociological analysis of contemporary anti-Islamic literature and films in addition to how images are used in propaganda to perpetuate stereotypes and to increase fear, anxiety and suspicion of Muslims.

Anti-Islamic laws and social practices in predominantly Muslim countries- While certain countries may continue to uphold “extreme religious” customs, others are leaning toward a more Westernized push in the daily lives of their citizens. Are Muslims experiencing an inferiority complex? For example, consider Turkey ’s ban on hijab (khimar) and Tunisia ’s pending ban. Illume will consider publishing original commentary, news briefs and general updates on what has happened to women (or men) who resist these laws as a means of civil disobedience.

Legal Double standards in the US judicial system as they relate to Muslims- How have laws affected Muslim citizens who are completely innocent of “conspiracies” and “terrorism”? What are the experiences like of those who have been harassed or detained due to these laws? Illume is particularly interested in hearing the perspective of non Muslims in this regard. More specifically, we are looking to publish memoirs of Asian (Japanese) American citizens who lived in internment camps.

Everyday struggles of Muslim converts and how they relate to biological relatives that don’t share the same faith- What’s it like to cope with bigotry and/or discrimination when it comes from your own families? How do you gently combat these challenges when it comes to loved ones without “severing ties”?

Discrimination in the workplace for men and women- Do your religious practices or dress code affect employee-to-employer relations? Have you ever lost a job on account of your differing spiritual preferences? Illume readers would love to read the stories of hard working individuals who may or may not have had employment terminated due to being Muslim. Even if you didn’t lose a job, has it become more difficult or awkward because you are perceived as “different”? Or, did you initially experience discrimination and later resolved this with employers or co-workers?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submissions must be an original work by the submitting author.

Attachments should be in an Microsoft Word Document.

You may submit up to 2 submissions.

Each submission should cover a different topic.

Include your name, email address, thumbnail photo (JPEG) and a 4-line bio along with your submission.

Copyright must be owned by submitting author.

Please use and cite as much supporting documentation as possible when writing your commentary (footnotes).

Please have your submissions thoroughly edited before you submit it.

There is no guarantee that your submission will be published.

If your submission is selected for inclusion in Illume Magazine, you will be sent a release form to complete.

You will still own the copyright to your commentary.

There is no monetary compensation for your submission.

However, you will receive a free copy of the magazine if your submission is included.

Please refer all questions to editor@illumemedia.org

IN THE NEWS: Healing Scents

2007-09-26T15:33:00.001-05:00

I found the following article at:

http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/91_folder/91_articles/91_scents.html

Scents That Heal
Aromatherapy in Ancient Azerbaijani Medicine

by Dr. Farid Alakbarov

Is your life tense and stressful? Maybe chamomile can help. Need to clear out some of that mental "fog" and regain your focus? Try peppermint. Feeling frustrated, irritable or anxious? Perhaps lavender is the solution. Claims like these are currently being made by practitioners of aromatherapy, a type of alternative medicine that is gaining popularity in the United States and Europe. Aromatherapists believe that flowers and herbs have value beyond their wonderful smells-perhaps these plants even have the power to heal.

The practice of aromatherapy is believed to date back several millennia to the Egyptians and Babylonians, who often took baths with aromatic herbs and other substances for hygienic and medicinal purposes. For instance, Egyptian queen Cleopatra was known to bathe regularly with rose petals.

In Azerbaijan as well, aromatherapy was once considered to be part of mainstream medicine. Medieval Azerbaijani doctors regularly prescribed essential oils and other fragrances for their patients. For example, a bath that smelled of roses - such as Cleopatra used to take - would have been prescribed for someone who was feeling melancholic or who had a headache.

Historian Farid Alakbarov specializes in studying ancient Azerbaijani manuscripts, including the medical texts that describe aromatherapy. These writings - which are only available in Arabic script - are housed at Baku's Manuscripts Institute. Here Farid shares his research on ancient and medieval beliefs about the healing power of scents.

_____
What is aromatherapy? Today, this term usually refers to treatment with essential oils. These fragrant extracts come from flowers, fruits and herbs - such as rose, violet, thyme, lavender and marjoram - and are usually breathed in or applied to the skin. Although the term "aromatherapy" was only coined in 1937 by René-Mauricé Gattefossé, a French cosmetic chemist, the technique itself is thousands of years old.

Ancient Beliefs
In the ancient kingdoms of Manna (9th-7th centuries BC) and Atropatena (4th-1st centuries BC) - now situated in Southern Azerbaijan (Iran) - people believed that they had to be clean and beautiful in order to attain a higher spirituality. For these purposes, ancient Azerbaijanis used aromatic oils such as frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, rosemary, hyssop, cassia, cinnamon and spikenard.

Some fragrant herbs and trees served a religious purpose. For example, the cypress, with its fragrant needles, was known as the tree of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster). The dispersion of oils was also thought to purify the air and provide protection from evil spirits.

According to ancient Turkic beliefs, all fragrant flowers were created by Tangry, the Supreme God of the Blue Sky. The Goddess of Grasses and Trees, Oleng, was his wife. Oleng was also considered to be the patroness of physicians. Each year, at the beginning of spring, the Turkic peoples held solemn festivals in honor of this goddess and burned fragrant herbs such as wormwood.

Ancient Turkic legends tell that the souls of all children arise inside flowers and are then moved to their mothers' bodies. In a 7th-century legend, the elder named Gorgud says: "I was created inside a flower...moved to my mother's body, and born with the assistance of the gray-eyed Angel."

Azerbaijanis treated diseases and injuries with aromatic substances. One scene describing such an occasion comes from the ancient Azerbaijani epic "Dada Gorgud" (Grandfather Gorgud), a compilation of legends that were set down in writing during the 11th century but contain stories that can be traced back to the 6th and 7th centuries. One of the scenes depicts how fragrant flowers were used to heal a lad who had been wounded: "Forty shapely girls ran, gathered flowers from the mountains, mixed them with mother's milk, rubbed this mixture on the wounds of the youth and left him with the healers." The flowers may have been spearmint and chamomile, which are known to have antiseptic and healing properties.

Aromatic plants weren't just for healing. For instance, as far back as the 4th century AD, the people in Caucasian Albania (now northern Azerbaijan) used the herb thyme as both a tonic and an aphrodisiac.

Essential Oils
After Islamic invaders conquered the region in the 7th century, Azerbaijanis began studying the chemical properties of essential oils. They learned from the experience of Muslim alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (702-765) and other scholars who had helped to develop and refine the distillation process.

In those times, Azerbaijanis could easily have extracted rose oil and prepared rose water, substances that were very popular throughout the entire East. Other essential oils used by medieval Azerbaijanis were fennel, melissa (lemon balm), spearmint, nutmeg, dill, chamomile, cinnamon, lime, orange, bergamot, lemon, myrrh, coriander, black cumin, tarragon, birch, cedarwood, cypress and myrtle. According to existing Azerbaijani manuscripts, at least 60 plant species were used in aromatherapy at the time. Unlike today, even aromatic animal species were used. Our documents identify eight of them.

By studying essential oils, medieval Azerbaijani doctors were able to expand their understanding of aromatherapy and its ability to cure disease. Specific oils were used to treat certain ailments. For instance, basil oil was believed to relax the muscles and have a calming effect. As an ointment, it could heal wounds, cuts and sores. Basil and camphor mixed with flour was used against scorpion bites, and bergamot root was known to alleviate insect bites and act as a repellent. According to the poets Nizami Ganjavi (1141-1203) and Mahammad Fuzuli (1495-1556), rose oil was used as a remedy for headaches and as a topical antiseptic. Mahammad Yusif Shirvani (18th century) recommended an unguent of cumin for sword wounds. Though the concept of antibiotics was not known at the time, physicians did use ointments of cumin, honey and raw onion juice as topical antiseptics.

We know that juniper oil was also used as an antiseptic because Haji Suleyman Iravani, a 17th-century Azerbaijani physician, recommends using ointment from juniper cones to heal wounds. Cypress was used as a strong diuretic for treating urinary disease. And for a person with a cold or a stuffy nose, doctors recommended inhaling the vapors from an infusion of thyme, peppermint or spearmint.

Luxury Treatments
Not everyone could afford these treatments. While substances like violet oil and rose water were fairly inexpensive, imported essential oils were quite costly and only available to the wealthy. Rich people liked to dab themselves with aromatic ointments, substances that also functioned as a form of currency. Kings would barter and buy land, gold, slaves and wives with their crudely extracted oils.

Tenth-century writer Abu Ali Tanuhi observes that shahs and sultans possessed hundreds of jars of rare aromatic ointments in their treasure houses. Some of the ointments - which were worth their weight in gold - were brought from India, Egypt and Byzantium. Tanuhi writes of a miserly ruler who opened his jars, looked at his aromatic ointments with pride, then closed them again, explaining: "I can't bring myself to touch these treasures."

Animal substances like musk, castor and ambergris were particularly expensive, as they had to be imported from China, Russia, the Persian Gulf and India. Not only were these fragrances supposed to attract the female sex; they were also believed to have therapeutic properties.

A dab of ambergris - a gray, waxy substance from the intestinal canals of sperm whales - would strengthen the brain and heart, believed 17th-century physician Hasan ibn Riza Shirvani. This substance is often found floating in tropical seas; to reach Azerbaijan, it had to be imported from the coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

The scent of musk, it was believed, would strengthen the heart and nerves and help to get rid of melancholy. To alleviate a headache, musk was mixed with saffron; a single drop on one nostril would be sufficient.

Castor, a substance secreted by male beavers to attract mates, often served as a substitute for musk. One or two drops of castor applied to the face and arms would make a person more appealing, it was believed. In 1311, Kabir Khoyi wrote that a bandage with a few drops of castor was good for treating headaches. Beverages containing castor and vinegar were also used to treat abdominal pain.

Fourteenth-century Azerbaijani scholar Yusif ibn Ismail Khoyi describes eight different methods for administering aromatherapy: (1) Use a pillow filled with medicinal plants. (2) Carry a small pouch filled with dried medicinal plants. (3) Inhale the boiling decoctions of medicinal herbs. (4) Inhale the scent of flowers in special gardens. (5) Hang bunches of healing grasses inside the house. (6) Breathe the odor of burned medicinal plants. (7) Use an aromatic ointment. (8) Take an aromatic bath.

The Fragrant Bath
Modern science has proved that bathing can release muscle tension, dilate blood vessels and slow the heart rate. Baths that contain essential oils are also beneficial. Aromatic baths treat many diseases, eliminate melancholy and nourish the skin and hair.

The earliest information about therapy with bathing and aromatic herbs is documented in the Indian Vedas in 1500 BC.

Of the various types of aromatherapy, aromatic ointments and baths were the most widely used in medieval times. In Eastern bathhouses, fragrant substances were often added directly to the bathwater.
For example, in the 17th century, Mu'min wrote that bathing in a decoction of pine needles was good for diseases of the uterus and rectum. Khoyi believed that laurel baths were effective against urinary disease.

Another method was to apply aromatic ointments to patients' bodies before or after bathing. For example, for a person who had bladder stones, a doctor would have recommended a post-bath massage with an ointment made of pine pitch, euphorbia juice and bdellium (a gum resin similar to myrrh).

Aromatic substances could also be breathed in during the bath. Usually, the patient would place himself near the fragrant fruit or perfume, such as camphor or musk. It was believed that these aromatic substances would strengthen the heart and act as a sedative.

The temperature of the water and the duration of the bath were also important to the treatment. "[Hot] water in a bath should not cover the patient's chest or heart," Ibn Sina (Avicenna) tells. Patients were supposed to bathe while the skin continued to redden and swell. They were advised to stop bathing once the skin turned pale.

According to Azerbaijani folk medicine, after a hot bath or nap, one should apply rose, narcissus or violet essential oils to the face and body. Eastern women especially liked these oils because they made the skin silky and soft.

Pine Needles
Some Azerbaijanis use pine branches to prepare an extraction for bathing, a substance that is supposed to strengthen the nervous system. The essential oil from pine is condensed to a thick syrup, then dried and pressed into tablets.

Rosemary
In Azerbaijan, people with low blood pressure are advised to take a bath with rosemary. It is believed that this fragrant plant stimulates the circulation and serves as a tonic. The recipe has even been documented. To prepare the solution, pour 4 cups of boiling water into a pot containing 5 tablespoons of rosemary leaves, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the infusion and add to warm bathwater. The optimal duration for such a procedure is half an hour.

Lavender
According to Azerbaijani folk medicine, bathing in a lavender decoction has anti-spasmodic and calming effects and is used for neurasthenia and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).

Marjoram
Taking a bath with a marjoram decoction is good for flatulence and nervousness and has a diuretic effect, Azerbaijani folk healers say.

Melissa
According to Azerbaijani folk medicine, bathing in a melissa (lemon balm) decoction is good for heart disease, relief of tachycardia and lowering of the blood pressure. The bathwater must be warm, but not hot.

The Power of Smell
Medieval Azerbaijani physicians believed that the smells of these aromatic substances could help cure ailments. Scholars proposed a type of therapy that may be called "therapeutic use of flower gardens." Medieval Eastern rulers and nobility were advised to spend their leisure time in flowering gardens, for their own treatment and relaxation. If they inhaled the fragrances of flowers, it was believed that they would relax and be cured.

Considering that medieval Azerbaijani doctors were working without the advances of modern scientific medicine, aromatherapy was a fairly ingenious way to treat patients with natural substances that were readily available. For instance, physicians had figured out how to use frankincense and myrrh as natural antiseptics. Herbs like spearmint and chamomile were also known to have antiseptic and healing properties. Today, scientists know that these fragrant herbs contain essential oils that are able to kill microbes and clean and heal wounds.

Forgotten Knowledge
Unfortunately, the use of aromatherapy is not widespread in Azerbaijan today - in fact, many Azerbaijani doctors have never even heard of the term. These practices are only followed on a small scale by folk healers, who rely on herbs like thyme, rose and lemon balm.

A great many of the manuscripts related to aromatherapy that survived from the Middle Ages were destroyed during this past century. After the Bolsheviks captured Baku in 1920 and established the Soviet Union, Azerbaijanis were forced to forget their historical roots, religions, traditions and beliefs.

Purge of Arabic Script
The Bolsheviks set out to completely destroy the "Old World of Violence" and build up what they considered to be a more idealistic world of their own. As the Soviets were eager to stamp out all Islamic influence, they carried out book-burning campaigns. But it wasn't just the Koran and religious manuscripts that fell victim to such a policy. Manuscripts containing medical and scientific observations that were written in the Arabic script were destroyed, too.

[See articles by the late Dr. Asaf Rustamov: (1) "Purging Arabic Script: Loss of Medical Knowledge" (AI 3.4), Winter 1995. Also (2) "Just for Kids: The Day They Burned Our Books" (AI 7.3), Autumn 1999].

Stalin wanted all things in the Soviet Union to be new - new Soviet medicine, new Soviet science, new Soviet culture, new Soviet technology and industry, new Soviet intellectuals and new Soviet people. He himself wrote extensive volumes about these new fields; during his lifetime (up until 1953), they were revered like bibles for Soviet ideology. Ancient medical books were burned, traditional herbal pharmaceutical stores were closed and folk healers were arrested, imprisoned or sometimes even executed.

Ancient books about medicinal plants were not valued. All things related to national traditions were considered outdated, foolish and harmful from an ideological point of view. It may seem strange to us today, but under Stalin's regime, anyone who dared to read ancient medical books written in Arabic could have been arrested as a spy.

After Stalin's death, Soviet laws were still very strict against folk healers. Even during Brezhnev's era, which was relatively mild and peaceful, folk healers were considered charlatans. It was strictly forbidden to heal with the help of ancient recipes. Only Soviet-educated physicians could treat patients, and they were not allowed to use aromatherapy and other traditional treatments. If a doctor used traditional medicine illegally, he could have been convicted by a court and deprived of his medical diploma, or even imprisoned for several years as a quack.

Some of the older folk healers in remote villages continued to heal with aromatic plants illegally and secretly. Sometimes, Soviet authorities didn't pay attention to these people and considered them to be insignificant.

Thanks to these healers, some elements of Azerbaijan folk medicine have survived. But for the most part, the heritage has been lost. How could the tradition of aromatherapy survive completely, if throughout the 70 years of Soviet domination, the books in this field were forbidden, the folk healers were persecuted and the idea itself was considered non-scientific, outdated and foolish?

Alphabet Change
Another contributing factor is that the Azeri alphabet changed three times in the 20th century: from Arabic to Latin (1920s), Latin to Cyrillic (1927), and then from Cyrillic back to Latin again (1991)[See the entire issue "Language and Alphabet in Transition" (AI 8.1), Spring 2000]. Consequently, today there are very few people in the Azerbaijan Republic who can read the few Arabic manuscripts that have managed to survive. Simply, later generations have been cut off from the medical knowledge documented by their very own ancestors.

It's extremely important that we revive this tradition today on the basis of medieval medical writings. It's a heritage that belongs to us. I believe that the practices of medieval Azerbaijan aromatherapy should not be abandoned and neglected, but rather gleaned for their potential scientific enlightenment. Not only are these medical texts interesting from a historical point of view; they may shed light on how we can improve the quality of our lives today - and not just here in Azerbaijan.

Reviving Aromatherapy
Reviving alternative medical practices such as aromatherapy won't be easy. Due to the economic crisis and hardships of the transition period since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many people are too poor to think about new luxury treatment methods. Besides, several generations of Azerbaijani physicians have been educated in Soviet universities. They follow the standard methods of treatment that were accepted in the former Soviet Union. They don't know the Arabic alphabet and can't read ancient Azerbaijani medical manuscripts with their obscure botanical and medical terms. Many of the physicians know Russian, but don't know English and other European languages, so they aren't familiar with the latest trends in Western medicine and the growing popularity of aromatherapy in the contemporary world.

Perhaps the real revival of traditional medicine in Azerbaijan will only come with a new, active and open-minded generation of physicians who are committed to integrating ancient traditions with modern scientific knowledge.

Azerbaijanis once had extensive knowledge about aromatherapy. These ancient ideas may still turn out to be relevant, if we can only unlock their secrets today.

Dr. Farid Alakbarov holds a doctoral degree in Historical Sciences and a Candidate of Sciences degree in Biology. His most recent book, "One Thousand and One Secrets of the East", documents his research of the fascinating field of Azerbaijan's medieval medical manuscripts. The book was published in Baku, 2001 (in Russian). Dr. Alakbarov has written several articles for Azerbaijan International magazine starting in 1997, especially concerning medieval medical manuscripts in the Arabic script. SEARCH at AZER.com. Contact him at alakbarov_farid@hotmail.com.

KITCHEN PHARMACY: Black Tea & Lemon

2007-09-26T15:26:00.001-05:00

The following Kitchen Pharmacy was submitted by Samina TK:

The Somalian heal themselves by drinking black tea and lemon when they get sore throat and Gurgling with hot water and salt .They also drink shredded black pepper , honey and garlic when they have the stomach flu. When they are sick they also try to maintain eating wet food and fruits such as apples, peaches, plums and hot soup and beans. Somalians also eat bananas when they have diarrhea. They also chew the juice part of garlic by itself. When Somalian break any part of their bones they drink camel milk, and maize.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bloating

2007-09-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

Assalaam Alaikum,

I have problems with a bloated stomach Can you help? (This letter has been edited to protect the privacy of the person who asked the question)

Dear Sister,

A bloated stomach can often mean that candida yeast have grown quite strong in her system which is often the case when taking prescription medications. So you should use a colon cleanser that is both gentle for her age, and one that will attack the candida. A very gentle one she could try is Thyme Tea. It is a traditional herb that was taken in Europe and the Middle East for a long time to heal all sorts of digestive and colon issues in kids - even parasites! It is sad we have forgotten about this wonderful remedy! At her age she could drink a cup every day for about ten days. Best is to drink one cup in the morning and one at night. It is said to give one good dreams - I don't know about that but it certainly helps me sleep at night when I take it!. It is also VERY VERY good for the lungs. I have used it in emergency situations when I was having asthma attacks. So it is a good herb for your daughter "all around". Good luck!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
www.islamichealingnetwork.com