ISLAM
& SCIENCE
Vinegar
Prophet
Muhammad liked vinegar. Modern medicine also
acknowledge its anti-cough, anti-inflammation and
digestive properties
By
Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha
Jabir
narrated, “The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon
him, took me one day with him to his house. He was
served some bread. He asked: `Is there any dip?’
They replied ‘No, only some vinegar.’ He
said, ‘Vinegar is a good dip.'
Jabir
used to say, “I have loved vinegar since I
heard it from Allah’s Prophet”. And Talhah ibn
Naf’a said, “I have loved vinegar since I
heard it from Jabir.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud,
Nasaa’i)
What is
Vinegar and Why is it a Good Dip?
 Vinegar
is made by fermenting the juice of sweet fruits
and grains such as barley, apple and grape. The
process of creating vinegar entails fermenting in
an aerobic environment (in the presence of oxygen)
as opposed to alcoholic fermentation, which is
done in an anaerobic environment (in the absence
of oxygen). The alcohol in these liquids is
oxidized to acetic acid. Vinegar contains 4 per
cent or more acetic acid. Its colour and tastes
differ depending on its base.
Vinegar
contains small amounts of protein and starch. 100g
of vinegar has only 16 calories. It also contains
sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium,
phosphorous, iron, zinc and chlorine but it has no
vitamins.
Ibn
Seena (died 1037 CE) wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon
fit Tibb (the Canon of Medicine), that vinegar is
a powerful clotting agent. If poured on an
external wound, it will stop the bleeding and
prevent swelling. It aids digestion and is an
expectorant. It helps with felons (inflammation of
the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a
kind of skin inflammation). It acts quickly on
burns. When mixed with old and applied to the
head, it helps with headaches caused by heat. It
strengthens gums. It is an appetizer and aids
digestion.
Vinegar is
treating External Injuries
The
Martin-Dale Encyclopedia of Pharmaceuticals 1989
indicated that vinegar has many beneficial uses.
Some are :
-
To
treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic)
substances.
-
To
help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to
the forehead which is soaked with vinegar and
water.
-
To
cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease
caused due to intake of antibiotics like
penicillin, tetracycline by using vinegar once
or twice daily for a week.
-
To
soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis by
applying a pad soaked with vinegar and water
to painful joints.
-
To
treat bee and jellyfish stings by applying a
mixture of equal amounts of salt and vinegar
to the sting, relieving the pain and
preventing inflammation.
Cider
Vinegar
Professor
John B.Yudkin wrote in the 1986 edition of the
Penguin Encyclopedia of Nutrition that Cider
vinegar is known for its ability to cure
several diseases. It helps in treating joint
pain, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose),
asthma and gastric disorders and is helps in
losing weight.”
Slight
cases of diarrhoea are a way by which the body
gets rid of harmful substances that enter the
digestive system. The 1989 edition of Dr.
Micheal Sharon’s book, Complete Nutrition,
stated that vinegar aids in treating diarrhoea.
It should be taken as one to two tea spoons of
vinegar in a glass of boiled or mineral water
several times a day.
Anti-Microbial
Complete
Nutrition also states. “Vinegar performs the
role of disinfectant for the intestines. Some
people advise it to be used for gargle for the
mouth and throat. It disinfects the inside of
the mouth from germs. The usual dosage for
gargle is to mix one to three tea spoons of
cider vinegar in a glass of water, in morning
and at night.”
Dr.
Sharon ends his argument about cider vinegar
by saying: “We always have to remember that
cider vinegar will not have the same effect on
everyone. Some may benefit from it and some
may not. Very few people may be allergic to
vinegar. Nevertheless vinegar is beneficial
for the majority of people.
Did’nt
the Prophet (Pbuh) say, “Vinegar is a
good dip.”
(Courtesy
Al-Jumuah)
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