Hijama

Hijama:

Hijama or wet cupping is a safe, non-invasive and economical way to help in treating and preventing many diseases with no side effects where blood with toxins is drawn by vacuum from a superficial skin scratching for therapeutic purposes.

Hijama in (Arabic: حجامة)‎ means “suction” cupping therapy had its birth in Egypt. The Ebers Papyrus, written around 1550 B.C., Some books believe it had been practiced by Imhotep 2600 B.C.(4600 years ago) In cupping, the Ancient Egyptians and Sumerians saw it as a remedy for every disorder, also in China, Greece, etc.

Ancient Egyptians believed that the metu are all the conduits covering the body which carry the body fluids such as blood, urine, water, air, humors, mucus, feces, and sperm. The metu is comparable to the Nile river for the body. Similar to flooding and droughts, toxics and obstructions cause excess of liquid in some parts of the body and liquid scarcity in others causing the body function to become more prone to pain and illness. The removal of these harmful substances is vital for proper health treatment. Some forms are wet cupping therapy and senna tea which were regularly used by Ancient Egyptians to purge their bodies and cleanse them of disturbing substances and infections (Ebers Papyrus, 1550 B.C.)

Eber’s papyrus (1550 BC) from Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest medical texts to mention cupping therapy. Cupping therapy is part of numerous ancient healing systems, such as Chinese, Unani, traditional Korean, Tibetan, and Oriental medicine [3]. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates compiled extensive descriptions of the cupping application. He described two different types of cups: one with a narrow opening and a long handle and the other with a wider opening. The first type was used to treat deep accumulation of fluids, while the second type was used to treat the spread of pain [4]. Cupping therapy was a popular historical treatment in Arabic and Islamic countries. It was recommended by Arabic and Islamic physicians such as Ibn Sina (AD 980–1037), Al-Zahrawi (AD 936–1036), and Abu Bakr Al-Razi (AD 854–925). Al-Zahrawi described cupping sites and illustrated cupping tools with diagrams [5]. Cupping therapy practice spread to Italy and, subsequently, the rest of Europe between the 14^th and 17^th centuries, during the Renaissance. Cupping was a very popular treatment of gout and arthritis in Italy during this period [6].

Types

There are different methods of cupping, including:

Hijamah (cupping) therapy is a form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is create on the skin.

Hijamah (cupping) increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

Islamic wet cupping therapy also known as Al-Hijamah in Arabic, is an old therapeutic and medical technique to improve the natural immune system and cure several disorders, which differs from Chinese therapies.

Some of the benefits of Hijamah (cupping) are:

(1) Faster pain relief

(2) Get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome

(3) Relief of lung diseases

(4) Keeping the skin healthy

(5) Relieving digestive problems

(6) Healing urinary diseases

(7) A way of relaxation

(8) Faster healing.

These are only a few benefits of Hijamah. Lastly, this is a prophetic tradition of our Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon Him), which is guidance for mankind.