Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Health Benefits Of Honey
Honey is a sweet treat. In fact, it is man's oldest sweetener. It can be a good substitute for sugar in our drinks and food. But it is also good for many other things and treating many other conditions. Reliance on commercialized medicines which contains too much chemicals can become hazardous to our health. Alhamdullilah, Allah has given us the knowledge that Mother Nature can at least help to ease the pain we are suffering from.
Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Besides the above, copper, iodine, and zinc exist in it in small quantities. Several kinds of hormones are also present in it.
Approximately one half of the human diet is derived directly or indirectly from crops pollinated by bees. Today honeybees are an essential part of a healthy agriculture economy. If you have allergies, honey can be beneficial. If you eat honey that is local to your area, it may prevent your seasonal allergies. Bees use the pollen from local plants and eventually it ends up in your honey.
Honey may also be good for your skin. It has the ability to attract water. You can use honey instead of alpha hydroxy masks because of its high content of the acid. It is also safe for sensitive skin.
You can also use it as a moisturizing mask for your skin as well as your hair. To use it as a conditioner, mix the honey with olive oil. Be sure to wash your hair thoroughly before you go outside.
If you have a sore throat, take some honey.Due to its natural anti-inflammatory effect, it will help to heal the wounds more quickly.It also has different phytochemicals--chemicals found in plants and different foods--that kill viruses, bacteria, and fungus making it a good substitute for wound dressings. The taste may also take your mind off the pain.
There is evidence that honey diluted in water will help with your stomachaches and dehydration.
Germ-Fighting Properties
Do you have a cut? Honey is a natural antiseptic. Medical journals cite more than 600 cases in which honey was employed to treat wounds.By applying honey to your wounds, you prevent infections. Honey contains antimicrobial agents, which prevents infections by killing the bacteria in and around your wounds. When using honey it may help to heat it up before putting it on your wound (caution test the heat before you place it on the wound).Many types of bacteria can’t survive in honey, so wounds heal, swelling eases, and tissue can grow back. Honey may also be effective in the treatment of your ulcers.In Europe, honey has been used internally to help cure ulcers, particularly stomach ulcers.
Burns, too, heal better with honey, studies show. The advantage of honey is that it not only prevents infections from occurring, it actually accelerates skin healing.. Since the sugar in honey absorbs water it helps to trap some of the moisture so that the bacteria and other microbes can’t grow as easily as in other food.
How Does It Help In Healing Wounds?
When honey comes into contact with body moisture, the glucose oxidase enzyme introduced to the honey by the bee slowly releases the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide at a sufficient level to be effective against bacteria but not tissue damaging. Not only is honey anti-bacterial, it also draws body fluids and nutrients to the area and so assists cell growth and prevents a scar forming by drying out of the wound.
The osmotic action of the honey draws out and provides a film of liquid between the tissues and the dressing, allowing the dressing to be removed painlessly, without tearing of the re-growing cells. There are reports in medical journals of large bed sores, otherwise needing skin grafts, that have healed without scarring after honey treatment.
In treating diarrhea, honey promotes the rehydration of the body and more quickly clears up the diarrhea and any vomiting and stomach upsets. The anti-bacterial properties of honey, both the peroxide and non-peroxide, are effective in the laboratory against MRSA strains of bacteria which are notoriously resistant to antibiotics and are sometimes responsible for the closing of hospital wards.
Other Benefits of Honey
Easily digested: Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into other sugars (e.g. fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better.
Good source of antioxidants: It plays a big role in the prevention of cancer as well as heart disease.
Has a low calorie level: Another quality of honey is that, when it is compared with the same amount of sugar, it gives 40% less calories to the body. Although it gives great energy to the body, it does not add weight.
Rapidly diffuses through the blood: When accompanied by mild water, honey diffuses into the bloodstream in 7 minutes. Its free sugar molecules make the brain function better since the brain is the largest consumer of sugar, thus, reduces fatigue.
Supports blood formation: Honey provides an important part of the energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation. It also functions as a protection against capillary problems and arteriosclerosis.
Does not accommodate bacteria: This bactericide (bacteria-killing) property of honey is named "the inhibition effect". Experiments conducted on honey show that its bactericide properties increase twofold when diluted with water. It is very interesting to note that newly born bees in the colony are nourished with diluted honey by the bees responsible for their supervision - as if they know this feature of the honey.
Royal Jelly: Royal jelly is a substance produced by worker bees inside the beehive. Inside this nutritious substance are sugar, proteins, fats and many vitamins. It is used in problems caused by tissue deficiency or body frailty.
It is obvious that honey, which is produced in much higher amounts than the requirements of the bees, is made for the benefit of man. And it is also obvious that bees cannot perform such an unbelievable task "on their own."
Farmasi Unpad Perlu Kembangkan Aneka Ragam Tanaman Obat
Kemajuan dunia farmasi saat ini menjadi tantangan bagi Fakultas Farmasi Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) untuk mengembangkan diri dan meraih prestasi yang lebih baik di masa depan. Untuk menjawab tantangan tersebut, diperlukan strategi yang tepat terutama dalam hal pengembangan dosen dan penelitian.
Demikian dikatakan Rektor Unpad, Prof. Ganjar Kurnia saat acara Syukuran Dies Natalis 50 Tahun Fakultas Farmasi Unpad di Ruang Auditorium Fakultas Farmasi Unpad, Kamis (19/02). Menurut Rektor, ada dua strategi yang dapat diterapkan. Pertama, pro rakyat melalui farmasi, yaitu bagaimana menghasilkan obat murah yang dapat dijangkau masyarakat. Kedua, dengan Blue Ocean Strategy, yaitu mencari ceruk pasar yang tidak digarap oleh fakultas farmasi di universitas lain. “Farmasi melalui Pusat Pengembangan Obat Herbal diharapkan dapat mengembangkan keanekaragaman tanaman obat sebagai “lokal indigenous” negara kita,” ujar Prof. Ganjar.
Di usia emas ini, Fakultas Farmasi mengangkat tema “Golden Age For A Golden Future”. Peringatan kali ini diisi dengan berbagai kegiatan seperti seminar nasional, pameran dan temu alumni pada tanggal 19-21 Maret 2009.
Menurut Dekan Fakultas Farmasi, Prof. Dr. Anas Subarnas, MSc., saat ini Fakultas Farmasi telah menyiapkan berbagai rencana untuk pengembangan berbagai bidang. Di bidang penelitian, Fakultas Farmasi akan meningkatkan produk dan paten terhadap hasil karya dari Fakultas Farmasi. Selain itu, Fakultas Farmasi akan memfasilitasi pusat pengembangan obat-obatan yang berbasis herbal. “Saat ini, pengembangan Fakultas Farmasi diarahkan pada sistem pendidikan S1 yang disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan pasar,” jelas Prof. Anas.
Ketua Ikatan Keluarga Alumni (IKA) Farmasi Unpad, Prof. Dr. Jana T Anggadiredja, menjelaskan pengembangan Fakultas Farmasi ini tidak hanya menjadi tanggung jawab staf dan dosen saja, tetapi juga harus ada kerjasama yang baik dengan mahasiswa dan alumni. “IKA Unpad dapat memberikan feedback pada fakultas dengan memberikan masukan, misalnya dalam hal kurikulum,” tutur Prof. Jana.
Acara syukuran ini diisi dengan renungan 50 Tahun Farmasi Unpad yang dibawakan oleh Iwan Abdurrahman. Pada acara tersebut Iwan Abdurrahman yang lebih dikenal dengan Abah Iwan membawakan beberapa buah lagu, seperti lagu Flamboyant, Satu Mil Lebih Sedepa, Pohon Randu dan ditutup dengan lagu Almamater. Lagu terakhir ini dimaksudkan untuk mengajak seluruh sivitas Fakultas Farmasi meningkatkan pengabdian dan kebanggaan sebagai bagian dari almamater Unpad.
Pada acara tersebut, Rektor Unpad menyerahkan penghargaan Anugrah Padjadjaran Utama kepada Prof Jana sebagai bentuk rasa terima kasih Unpad terhadap jasa dan pengabdiannya kepada Unpad. (eh)*
Sumber: www.unpad.ac.id
Definition: Al Hijamah
It was a common practice in the traditional Arabic Medicines and is a Sunnah that was practiced and promoted by our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Its Origin and variationsHistory is ubiquitous of the therapeutic use of blood letting, from the Greek to the Chinese passing through the Arabs. The Chinese called their practice of blood letting the ‘Gua-Sha,’ the Malaysian called it ‘BEKAM.’
The ProcedureThe steps involved in al hijamah are as follow:
1. The area where hijamah is to be practices is first shaved, cleaned and marked
2. Superficial incisions are made within the marked area
3. The suction cup is applied on the skin producing a vaacum inside
4. The vaacum created negative pressure which sucks blood from the incisions
5. After enough blood is extracted, the cup is removed, and the blood washed away
Types of CupsThere are various types of cups depending on the culture and type of treatment. Below are some type of cups used:
1. Glass cups
2. Plastic cups
3. Animal horns
4. Bamboo jarsIts BenefitsThe great physicians of Islam, such as Ibn Sina and Abul Qasim Al-Zahrawi have written lots about the benefits of al hijama. Modern day medicine classifies al hijamah as belonging to the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) field. There are various ahadith about the virtues of hijamah.
Source: http://alhijamah-treatment.com/Definition.aspx
Al Hijamah
There exists many ahadith from the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) concerning hijamah, and Islamic literature is full of reports that of hijamah being practised by the Sahabas and the early Muslims.
The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) practised hijamah
- Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was treated with cupping, and he paid the cupper his fee. [Imam Bukhari - 10/124, Imam Muslim - 1202].
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Imam Bukhari - 5701].
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was cupped while he was fasting. [Imam Bukhari - 5694].
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was cupped on his head. [Imam Bukhari - 5699].
- Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head) "Umm Mugheeth." [Saheehah - 753, Saheeh al-Jaami’ - 4804].
- "I did not pass by any group on the night when I was taken on the Night Journey (Isra’), but they said to me, ‘O Muhammad, tell your ummah to do cupping." [Ibn Maajah - it has corroborating evidence which strengthens it].
- It is also related from a number of Companions that, in Ramadan, they would only sit for cupping at night and avoided doing so during the day. This is related from Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Abbâs, Anas b. Mâlik, and others.
Hijamah is a remedy
- "Hijama is among your best remedies" [Imam Bukhari - 5263, Imam Muslim - 2952]
"Healing is to be found in three things: drinking honey, the knife of the cupper, and cauterization of fire." [Imam Bukhari -10/136] - "If there is any good in your medical treatments, it is in the knife of the cupper, drinking honey, or cauterization with fire, as appropriate to the cause of the illness, but I would not like to be cauterized." [Imam Bukhari -10/139]
- "Whoever is treated with cupping on the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty first, will be healed from all diseases." [Abu Dawood]
- Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping…" [Imam Bukhari -5371].
- Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping." [Sunan Abu Dawood- 3857, Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah - 3476]
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” [Imam Bukhari - 5681, Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah - 3491].
- Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Indeed in cupping there is a cure." [Imam Muslim - 5706].
- Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah was treated with cupping by Abu Tayyibah. He commanded that he should be given two measures of food, and he spoke with his tax-collectors, who reduced his taxes. He said, "The best treatment you can use is cupping." [Imam Bukhari - 10/126, Imam Muslim - 1577]
- Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cupped his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if done correctly. [Zaad al Ma’aad - 4/125-126].
Hijamah for woman
Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to do cupping. So the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, ” I think he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn’t reach puberty”. [Imam Muslim - 5708, Abu Dawud - 4102, Saheeh ibn Maajah - 3480].

